Manx ministers will not interfere in ferry firm employment dispute

A maritime union is in dispute over changes to ferry workers conditions

The Manx government will not interfere in a dispute over new staff contracts at the island's publicly-owned ferry firm, the chief minister has said.

A union is in dispute with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company over plans to impose contracts requiring workers to stay on-board between shifts.

Some MHKs raised concerns in Tynwald that the move, due to take affect next year, amounts to "fire and rehire".

But Alfred Cannan said minsters would not step in over "operational matters".

Nautilus International has threatened industrial action over the proposed live on-board contracts, which the ferry firm said are needed to reduce cancellations.

About 70% of staff in the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers have agreed to the amended terms in exchange for extra leave, increased staffing and bonuses, a spokesman for the company said.

'Ethics and morals'

In Tynwald Jason Moorhouse MHK said it was "quite concerning" that the Council of Ministers were not looking at the dispute, which he considered to be a "fire and rehire" exercise.

Mr Cannan said the Treasury, as the Steam Packet's majority shareholder, did not get involved in the employment issues, relationships with unions and the operation of the firm.

Ministers retained "absolute faith" in the ferry firm's board, he said.

Juan Watterson SHK questioned if was acceptable for a publicly-owned firm to operate outside of the "ethics and morals" of central government, while Chris Thomas MHK raised concerns over whether terms could be imposed without collective bargaining.

But the chief minister said he saw "no reason" to interfere in the negotiations and he hoped "all sides will come to a proper negotiated agreement".

The Isle of Man Steam Packet has been contacted for a comment.

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