The Time for Talking is Over

After two years of negotiations with unions, the Steam Packet says it has decided to bring negotiations relating to live-on board arrangements to a conclusion.

The company said it has ‘agreed a number of compromises’ during the talks.

While one union has agreed to the arrangements, members of the Nautilus union have so far not agreed to the new conditions.

A spokesperson said: ‘As a consequence, the company has written to the union to set-out the various options open to its members.

‘The purpose of the changes to working practices is to improve the reliability and resilience of services for the benefit of customers and the travelling public. Manxman has already started to demonstrate the flexibility of its design, carrying out Monday morning’s 2.15am sailing despite the cancellation of the preceding 8pm departure.

‘The company is keen to resolve the matter in an amicable way, as soon as possible, in order to maintain its focus on fully realising the step change in its services to customers recently facilitated by the introduction of its new flagship Manxman.’

While neither the company nor the union have yet made clear what the options that have been presented to staff are, there has been widespread rumour on social media that a ‘fire and rehire’ situation could be enforced.

Meanwhile, the company has also said that the Ben-my-Chree will be converted to a live on board arrangement after it moves to reserve status, unless it is sold as has been discussed in recent weeks.

Crew on the Manannan will not be subject to this as the high-spreed craft is not permitted to have permanent live on-board facilities.