NAUTILUS P01 NOVEMBER 2009.qxd - Nautilus International

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04 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | November 2009 NAUTILUS AT WORK shortreports ST HELENA RISE: following a ship visit and feedback from members serving on RMS St Helena, Nautilus has submitted a claim for an across-the-board 4% pay rise. The Union has also called for a significant increase in the uniform allowance and talks on sick pay, increments and partnership at work. Industrial officer Jonathan Havard said the claim reflected the settlement for public sector workers in St Helena and talks are set to take place this month. ORKNEY MEETING: Nautilus is taking part in further discussions in a bid to resolve outstand pay issues from last year, and resolve reorganisation as company moves forwards. Industrial officer Steve Doran said liaison officers Capt Alan Smith and Ray Heddle had done ‘a sterling job’ in representing members’ interests at local working party meetings. CRUISES CALL: members serving with Fleet Marine Services, Cunard Celtic and with Marine Manpower Services on Holland America Line vessels have all been asked to submit their views on what should be included in the forthcoming pay and conditions claims. Talks are set to begin later this month. INTRADA WAIT: Nautilus has submitted a ‘modest’ claim for a 2% pay increase on behalf of members serving with Intrada Shipping. Industrial officer Jonathan Havard said a response was awaited late last month. GLOBAL TALKS: Nautilus was last month awaiting a formal response from Global Marine Services following a partnership committee meeting to discuss this year’s pay and conditions claim. SAFMARINE SUBMISSION: Nautilus has submitted a claim for an above-inflation pay rise and increased annual leave for members serving with Maersk Safmarine. WYNDHAMS REQUEST: Nautilus has asked for the views of members serving with Wyndhams Management Services on the forthcoming pay and conditions claim. BW REVIEW: Nautilus is seeking talks with BW Fleet Management on a claim for a substantial aboveinflation pay increase. Officers safe as Red Funnel seeks cuts AThe cross-Solent ferry operator Red Funnel has begun a 30-day consultation on proposed job losses in sections of its marine and shore-side operations. Up to 50 jobs may be lost from the firm’s 412 permanent staff, but the company says officer grades will not be affected. Volunteers are being sought. Red Funnel CEO James Fulford said the move was being made to ‘align staffing levels more closely to the seasonal nature of our business’ — with just one-quarter of traffic carried in the winter months, but 90% of personnel retained yearround. But the RMT union described the move as ‘a savage body blow to the Solent economy’ and said loyal workers were taking the hit. Pay talks ‘are set to be the toughest for years’ PNautilus International has signed a new agreement covering the terms and conditions of Filipino seafarers serving on Dutchflagged vessels. Nautilus International senior policy advisor Hylke Hylkema is pictured right signing the deal with Guido Hollaar, director of the Royal Dutch Shipowners’ Association; Georges Kaas, HRM Flinter Shipping; Erwin Meijnders, HRM Spliethoff Group and head of the owners’ delegation; and Capt Greg Oca, president of the Philippines maritime union Amosup. Effective from 1 January 2010, the agreement will increase ABs’ benchmark wages from $545 to $560 — or around $26 a month including overtime and leave pay. The rates of the other ratings’ grades will be increased according to an agreed differential scale. ‘With this increase we have looked after the most-needing group within the Industry,’ said Mr Hylkema. ‘Shipowners and Nautilus International consider Stena Line is this month adding Fa third ship to its Stranraer- Belfast service. The 15,093gt Stena Navigator, pictured left, will cater for both the freight and passenger markets, with a capacity of up to 1,500 passengers and up to 50 lorries or 280 cars. The company said the 1984-built vessel — formerly the SeaFrance Manet — would be substantially PThis year’s pay and conditions negotiations are set to be the most difficult for many years, Nautilus Council members were warned last month. With CPI inflation in the Netherlands standing at 0.2% and UK RPI in a ‘minus’ state for the past few months, prospects of significant increases are pretty bleak, said assistant general secretary Paul Moloney. The vast majority of Nautilus UK settlements are due to be reviewed with effect from 1 January, and the UK committee last month reviewed the negotiating priorities, whilst the Netherlands national committee is meeting to determine policy in talks with Dutch owners. ‘It is clear that the economic indicators in both countries will make it a difficult set of negotiations for us all in the coming months,’ said Mr Moloney. The independent Labour Research Department (LRD) has warned of ‘another year of hard bargaining’ ahead. Its comprehensive annual pay round analysis shows a decline in the number of new long-term deals — pointing out that settlements covering more than a year have prevented a total ‘wipe-out’ of pay rises in the past 12 months. ‘These deals have provided an element of pay stability across the economy and in many cases have delivered higher than average rises,’ it added. However, LRD said, many of these deals terminate this year, and are not being renewed. Only 15% of all settlements next year will be the result of existing long the increased basic wages for the AB as the new ILO minimum and follow the increase also in other non-domiciled CBAs, such as for Indonesians.’ He said the owners would not agree to a proposal to increase upgraded before coming into service to offer the ‘cruiseferry’ concept in the northern corridor. Stena said the new ship will enable improved timetables, additional space at peak times, and two more crossings a day on the route. Freight commercial manager Frank Nieuwenhuys commented: ‘’While trading conditions remain Celtic service Celtic Link Ferries has launched Fits new passenger/vehicle service between Portsmouth and Cherbourg, using the LD Lines’ vessel Norman Voyager, left. The 26,500gt vessel is also running a weekend round-trip between Cherbourg and Rosslare. In response to LD Lines’ proposals to reorganise its operations in Dover and Portsmouth — which will impact members serving onboard Norman Arrow and Norman Spirit — Nautilus has been involved in talks with management on issues such as manning levels and salaries. Picture: Gary Davies Nautilus Council warned of ‘difficult’ negotiations ahead in UK and NL term deals, in comparison with more than one-quarter this year. ‘Added to possible public sector pay freezes, depending on the outcome of next year’s election, this could paint a grim picture for average pay settlements, and thus one element of economic stability, for the year to come,’ it added. From August 2008 to July 2009, 30% of workers covered by the LRD survey received less than a 2% rise — including cuts and freezes. However, a significant 22% of deals were for 4% or more, covering 13% of the workforce. Dutch Filipino ratings deal the officers’ scale by the same percentage. ‘The rates for the officers are more or less on the IBF level and as a freeze was agreed in that group for 2010, there was no way I could persuade them to increase the rates for officers too.’ Ferries crossing the North Sea are excluded from the CBA and it is left to the relevant companies, Nautilus International and the RMT to resume the talks about wages and job security within these operations. The year-long agreement also covers the employers’ training programme and death in service payments. Mr Hylkema welcomed the contribution made by Captain Greg Oca of AMOSUP and his team in the negotiations as one of ‘international unity and solidarity’. Former SeaFrance ship boosts capacity on Stena Line service challenging, Stena Line is confident about the future and is putting the necessary investment in place to ensure that it can better service its customers as the improvement in economic circumstances develops.’ Members serving with Stena Line were meeting as the Telegraph went to press to discuss the contents of this year’s pay and conditions claim in response to officers’ views.
November 2009 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 05 NAUTILUS AT WORK Union battles for Maersk future Intensive negotiations begin in bid to protect members’ best interests PNautilus International is fighting to protect members’ jobs and conditions following Maersk’s shock announcement last month of job cuts and flagging out in response to the economic downturn. As well as launching a major political lobbying campaign in response to the move, the Union has begun intensive negotiations with management to ensure that members’ interests are fully protected. Maersk blamed the losses it has encountered as a result of the slump in trade for the move to seek 113 voluntary UK officer redundancies. Maersk Offshore director Tom Graves told the Union that management could also no longer automatically employ cadets graduating from training with the company. An urgent meeting of the partnership at work committee was held soon after the announcement — with the Union pressing for measures to reduce the number of job losses and measures to enhance the severance package. Concerned that the moves may be a ‘kneejerk reaction’ to the economic slowdown, the Union has asked for detailed documentary evidence and independent analysis of the company’s financial arguments. Nautilus has also urged management to provide clarification Maersk partnership at work committee members meet at head office to discuss the cutbacks on the link between proposed job losses and ships in lay-up, and called for assurances that UK positions will increase again once trade picks up, as well as a details of the company’s long-term plans. The Union also argued that the company should seek to reduce redundancies by using promotions, and to give cadets the opportunity of employment. Contacts have been made with other unions representing Maersk seafarers in the hope of coordinating information and the overall response to the company’s plans. Management has given the Union assurances that the re-flagging will not have any impact on members’ terms and conditions. Senior national secretary Paul Moloney commented: ‘We are working hard to protect the interests of our members and ensure that no UK officers are forced out if they wish to continue working for the company. ‘We are in urgent dialogue with the International Transport Workers’ Federation and have also sought assurances that these are temporary measures, so that UK and Dutch positions will be fully protected when the economy recovers and Maersk returns to profitability,’ he added. z Management has proposed suspending pay talks for members on its containerships while the talks continue on the job losses. Pay talks have opened for members serving with Maersk Tankers. The Union has presented a claim for an above-inflation pay rise, increased contribution to a recognised pension scheme, and improved seniority pay. shortreports P&O POISED: following consultations with members serving with P&O Ferries, Nautilus has drafted a pay and conditions claim for all four UK ports. The Union is aiming to begin negotiations this month after discussing the strategy with liaison officers. P&O Ferries is increasing capacity on its Tilbury-Zeebrugge route, bringing in the 145-unit capacity freight vessel, Norqueen to replace the smaller Norcape on the route. CONFERENCE CALLS: the Nautilus International 2011 Biennial General Meeting is set to take place between 4-6 October that year, Council members decided last month. A number of venues are being examined, and it is likely that the conference will be held in Amsterdam. The next UK branch conference is scheduled for 22 June 2010, and is expected to be held in London. BENEFITS REVIEW: Nautilus International has launched a radical review of the benefits and services it offers members, Council heard last month. Assistant general secretary Paul Moloney said the initiative had been taken to ensure that the range of benefits remains relevant to members and can generate potential savings of at least 50% of subscription costs. WIGHTLINK CONSULT: members serving with Wightlink Ferries are being consulted by the Union on management proposals to address hours of work issues. Industrial officer Jonathan Havard said Nautilus is continuing to seek assurances on aspects of masters’ meal breaks. NORFOLKLINE CLAIM: following consultations with members serving on Norfolkline’s Irish Sea and Dover routes, Nautilus has lodged a claim for an aboveinflation pay rise, increased contribution to a recognised pension scheme, and increased annual leave. OSG TALKS: Nautilus has presented OSG Ship Management (UK) with a claim for a substantial above- RPI pay rise, improved onboard facilities, an increased relief bonus and business class travel for long-haul flights to join vessels. IOM VIEWS: Nautilus is seeking the views of members serving with Manx Sea Transport (Guernsey) on IoM Steam Packet ships ahead of this year’s pay and conditions negotiations. A degree put together with seafarers in mind Business, Leadership & Management for the maritime sector from The Open University in association with The Marine Society College of the Sea Mersey Docks members consulted on 2% offer Nautilus industrial officer FSteve Doran is pictured with VTS members Jerry Barker, Russ Wilson, Mick Flemming, J. Wissett, Bill Hughes and John Whitley serving with the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company at the Port of Liverpool following a meeting last month to discuss the current pay offer and review of work following recent attendance pattern changes. The Union has received a formal pay offer for both VTS and floating plant members — a 2% across-theboard rise, effective from 1 January. Management said it would have been easy to propose a freeze in the current ‘challenging’ conditions, but it wanted to have negotiated settlements based on a range of factors and not just RPI. The company has also agreed to examine the issue of holiday alignment across the group as part of a wider review of harmonisation. Members are being consulted on the offer, and the results should be known early this month. An Open University bachelors degree, focusing on Business, Leadership & Management and mapped to seafarers’ qualifications for transferred credit... ... so you can now achieve your degree quicker and with a significant cost saving. Completion within two years ... and whilst at sea. To find out more visit: www.ms-sc.org/ou education@ms-sc.org / 020 7654 7050 The College of the Sea is part of The Marine Society & Sea Cadets. Registered Charity No: England & Wales 313013, Scotland SC037808 The Marine Society & Sea Cadets
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