Nautilus ends industrial action after 'fire and rehire' threat withdrawn

Union says it's now entered into discussions to solve the ongoing dispute over live onboard

The union in dispute with the Steam Packet Company says it's stopped its industrial action after the ferry operator withdrew the threat of fire and rehire and entered into discussions.

Nautilus International and the government-owned carrier have been deadlocked over proposals for officers to live onboard the Manxman vessel.

On 22 December, officers were issued with a letter of notice, with the Steam Packet saying they would keep their jobs if they agreed to the new terms.

Nautilus members began industrial action short of a strike last month, which the Steam Packet has blamed for its reduced passenger schedule introduced this week.

On Friday (5 January), Treasury Minister Alex Allinson told Manx Radio the Manx Industrial Relations Service had been brought in to try to break the deadlock between the two parties.

Shortly after, the Steam Packet announced it would withdraw the letter if Nautilus stopped its industrial action, and committed to engaging in arbitration if talks scheduled for later this month don't result in an agreement - in response the union said the industrial action would stop after fire and rehire was taken off the table.

In a further update posted on Nautilus's social media pages this evening, the union has now revealed it has stopped its industrial action after the letter was withdrawn, and the two parties have entered into arbitration.

Senior National Secretary Garry Elliott said: "Following constructive dialogue, facilitated by the Manx Industrial Relations Service, the company has withdrawn notices of termination issued just before Christmas and has agreed to further talks and to engaging in arbitration should talks again result in a stalemate."

Talks are due to continue on 15 January with arbitration being the next step if those discussions are unsuccessful. 

In response, the Steam Packet Company says: "The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company welcomes the decision by Nautilus International to repudiate the industrial action commenced on 27^th December and looks forward to productive discussions about resolving the remaining issues in the negotiations around changes to terms and conditions to accommodate live aboard working practices within the Company’s fleet.

"Having commenced discussions on the subject in October 2020, both parties owe it to all stakeholders – including officers, crew, customers and Island residents – to put maximum effort into ensuring a satisfactory, lasting and final outcome to the meetings later this month in order to avoid any further disruption or uncertainty.

"The Company looks forward to reinstating full service with Manxman. An update will be published as soon as details are confirmed."