Union 'willing' to talk as sailings cut amid row

The Manxman will only sail once a day for a fortnight

The union involved in an ongoing dispute with the Isle of Man's ferry operator has responded to cutbacks made to sailings.

The Steam Packet Company has reduced its services to one daytime sailing of the Manxman per day between Douglas and Heysham for two weeks.

Work-to-rule by members of Nautilus has meant there has been no-one to cover a rostered officer who has taken leave for personal reasons, the company said.

Garry Elliot from Nautilus said they were aware of the contingency action and remained "willing and available to discuss a resolution to the action short of strike".

The ferry company and union are in dispute about proposed new contracts, with those who had not signed them put on 12 weeks' notice on 22 December.

'Legal and proportionate'

Mr Elliot urged the company "to make a genuine offer that is acceptable to members".

The action taken by staff was "legal and proportionate" in response "to the use of fire and rehire by the company to force through presently unacceptable contractual changes", he added.

The freight vessel MV Arrow is to carry out overnight freight services while the sailing schedule remains reduced.

It comes as the Isle of Man Government said the chief minister and treasury minister were meeting with Steam Packet bosses to "receive an update on the current industrial dispute".

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said: "Any industrial dispute is always disruptive but particularly so when it involves transport services.

"We will want to understand more regarding the background to the dispute and what plans are in place for resolution."