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04 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | July 2010 NAUTILUS AT WORK shortreports PLA PROTEST: Nautilus has protested to the Port of London Authority over proposed changes to its overtime policy. Industrial officer Jonathan Havard said the Union is seeking talks with management to discuss the ‘grave concerns’ raised by members. Nautilus has asked for assurances on four key points and has challenged the way working hours would be calculated under the new policy. ‘The five-watch system the VTS department is contracted to work has worked well over the past 30 years and has not been questioned before,’ said Mr Havard. ORKNEY TALKS: Nautilus took part in further talks last month on proposals for transferring Orkney Ferries services to Council control. Industrial officer Derek Byrne said the discussions are concentrating on the employees’ move to single status with harmonised terms and conditions. Other issues include job descriptions, holiday cover, health surveillance and the change of pay date. IRISH VISITS: Nautilus has conducted a series of ship visits in the P&O Irish Sea ferries fleet. Industrial officer Jonathan Havard said the main issues raised were national insurance, manning and the need for more permanent P&O contract staff. Points raised are being taken up with management. BRIGGS TRANSFER: Nautilus is set to have more talks with management of the Environment Agency vessels over the transfer of members’ contracts from VT Marine to Briggs Marine. Industrial officer Gavin Williams said the Union is also seeking a response from Briggs to the 2010 annual review. MANX MEETING: following the recent pay settlement, Nautilus officials and liaison officers are due to meet Manx Sea Transport management on 13 July for further talks on the review of the terms and conditions agreement for Isle of Man Steam Packet ships. MMS PRESSED: Nautilus is pressing the official receivers in Hong Kong for the payment of outstanding amounts that the Union claims are owed to members who served on Stephenson Clarke ships following the liquidation of Marine Manning Services. Meeting members on Madog Nautilus International industrial officer Gavin Williams is pictured Cabove with members onboard the VT Ocean Sciences research vessel Prince Madog during a recent ship visit. ‘The main purpose of the visit was to have discussions on the possible TUPE transfer from VT Marine to P&O Maritime,’ Mr Williams said. ‘We are attending meetings with members and the company on the vessel and will continue to represent their interests as the transfer develops.’ R. H. BRADSHAW COWBRIDGE TAX SERVICES Mill Brow Brookfield Park Road Cowbridge South Glamorgan CF71 7HJ Tel/Fax 01446 771536 E.Mail marine@onetel.com 100% FED CLAIMS AND FORECASTS ELECTRONIC LODGEMENT – NO MORE WAITING FOR THE REVENUE FMS deal opens up new set of talks Following talks with senior Amanagement at Fleet Maritime Services, Nautilus has agreed to accept a 1.75% pay rise for members serving on P&O and Princess Cruises vessels. Senior national secretary Paul Moloney said the settlement was reached ‘reluctantly’ after the company made it clear that no new offer could be made in the current negotiations. However, he added, the Union had persuaded management to consider a number of other issues that have been raised in this, and other, pay and conditions reviews and it is hoped that a working party to examine these points will report before the next annual pay talks. Points to be examined include share option schemes, the possible harmonisation of some contracts, including security officers in collective bargaining arrangements, and the possibility of a partnership at work agreement to give members a much greater role in the negotiating process. ‘Clearly, it was disappointing that we were not able to secure a bigger pay increase for members,’ said Mr Moloney. ‘However, both myself and the general secretary met with the CEO of Carnival UK and we believe that there are a number of grounds for optimism in addressing some of the issues that we have raised. ‘The Union recognises that members will want to see results and Nautilus is committed to devoting the necessary resources to ensure that the discussions take place expeditiously,’ he added. Wightlink pensions agreed Consultations with members Femployed by Wightlink (Guernsey) have shown a massive majority in favour of accepting proposed changes to the company pension arrangements. Industrial officer Jonathan Havard welcomed the result, pointing out that the final package is significantly improved from what was initially proposed by the company. Wightlink had originally tabled a series of changes — including an increase in the pension scheme retirement age from 62 to 65 — in response to the December 2008 valuation of its pension scheme. Following extensive negotiations with the unions, management revised the package so that there will be no erosion of current benefits and only a small increase in member contribution levels. Mr Havard said the company had also agreed that should the scheme actuary recommend a reduction in contribution rates, the increase in member contributions will be reviewed and reversed ahead of any reduction in employer contributions. Nautilus embarks on series of Stena ship visits Nautilus industrial officer Steve Doran is pictured Cwith members onboard Stena Caledonia during a series of Stena ship visits in Belfast last month. Mr Doran also met members on the Stena Voyager and Stena Navigator and had talks with local managers ‘Ground-breaking’ settlement at HAL PNautilus International members serving on Holland America Line vessels have accepted by an overwhelming majority a ‘groundbreaking’ pay and conditions offer. Some 75% of the Dutch and British officers who took part in the consultation backed the proposals, which will cover a threeyear period from January 2010 until 31 December 2012. Senior national secretary Paul Keenan welcomed the result. ‘The overall effect will see terms and Union protests over plans to shake-up Marine Scotland Nautilus has made high level Aprotests over a failure to consult on plans to rationalise the management of the Marine Scotland Compliance offshore patrol vessel fleet and to reduce the number of patrol vessels by one. The Union met management in Edinburgh last month to express concern at the ‘unacceptable’ lack of dialogue before the announcement was made. Further talks have been scheduled for 21 July. Marine Scotland said it has decided to bring the manning and management of the research vessels RFA flights change In response to the concerns of ARoyal Fleet Auxiliary members about delays arising from the use of trooping flights to the Middle East, Nautilus has secured an agreement on the use of commercial airlines. Industrial officer Gavin Williams stressed that there has been no change to contractual entitlements. conditions improved by varying degrees, and the achievement of a long-held ambition for many members of shorter sailing periods and longer leave,’ he said. Mr Keenan described the agreement as ‘ground-breaking’ for the cruise sector and said it reflected HAL’s aim of re-positioning itself as the ‘employer of choice’ in the industry. Secured after lengthy negotiations that opened last summer, the agreement will provide a series of pay increases and step increases and will introduce an Scotia and Alba na Mara, ‘in house’ and would dispose of the 23-year-old protection vessel Norna. The contract with Marr Vessel Management will terminate at the end of September and all crew on Marine Scotland vessels will become Scottish Government employees. Industrial officer Steve Doran said managers had apologised for the lack of consultation and had given assurances of continued ‘full and frank’ dialogue ahead of the proposed changes. ‘We intend to scrutinise the proposal and have requested detailed CV Professionals (formerly CV Plus) Merchant Navy CV & resume specialists www.cvprofessionals.co.uk on some of the issues raised during his meetings with members. ‘It is my intention to make further ship visits on other routes in the future, and hopefully some with Joost Kaper from the Rotterdam office,’ he added. 8% sailing assignment return bonus, backdated to 1 January 2010, for those eligible officers. The package gives officers a choice of different work-leave arrangements and also introduces an annual sailing period concept, setting maximum days. ‘This wasn’t easy to negotiate, and we know it will not please everybody, but it does compare very well with settlements elsewhere and addresses many concerns and aspirations that members have brought to us over many years,’ Mr Keenan added. information for members,’ he said. ‘There may be some positives in the situation, but it has not been handled well.’ Mr Doran said every effort will be made to maintain the ‘no compulsory redundancies’ position and the Union is seeking to maintain or enhance terms and conditions. Detailed discussions on the way in which the changes may affect individual seafarers are now under way and Mr Doran said he will be visiting ships to discuss the impact on members currently employed by MVM.
July 2010 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 05 NAUTILUS AT WORK Scottish ferries: have your say Radical review considers future shape, size and crewing of lifeline services PNautilus is urging members to contribute to a vitally important new review on the future of Scottish ferry services. The Union says it is essential that as many members as possible make an input into the threemonth public consultation that was launched by the Scottish government last month. The government says the exercise will seek to set a blueprint for Scottish ferries over the next 12 years, and the review will examine the current lifeline ferry network and will consider where ‘changes and improvements’ can be made. Key issues to be assessed include: zhow ferries should be funded and procured zthe setting of fares zwhat kind of services should be supported with public money zwho should be responsible for providing these services The government says the review will reflect the outcome of the latest European Commission investigation into the state aid subsidies for Caledonian MacBrayne and Northlink. It will also consider the cost of new ferries and different funding mechanisms for new tonnage within the context of tough public spending constraints. Ideas in the mix include faster vessels, such as catamarans, replacing one large ferry with two or more smaller vessels, and leasing ships rather than building them. Also under examination will be the way in which the public service routes are bundled together, possible future tendering arrangements and ‘flexibility Nautilus industrial officer Gary Leech is pictured with Captain David Malcolm, second officer James MacKendrick and third officer Donald MacLeod during a recent ship visit to the CalMac ferry Isle of Mull Caledonian MacBrayne liaison officers Roddy MacLeod, Iain Macneil and David Stevenson are pictured with industrial officer Gary Leech at the recent liaison officer/management meeting in Oban in contracts’. The review will consider the future configuration of lifeline ferry routes — including the possibility of new services — and draw up proposals for better targeting investment to support efficient links to islands and remote rural communities. The impact of ‘alternative arrangements for crewing ferries’ will be assessed by the review team as it considers potential new routes or changes to existing services. Transport minister Stewart Stevenson said the government recognised the social and economic importance of the lifeline ferry services. ‘We are determined to improve transport links across Scotland so that communities and individuals can make the fullest possible contribution to economic recovery and help secure future sustainable economic growth,’ he added. Nautilus assistant general secretary Paul Moloney described the review as being of critical importance for members in the sector. ‘Not only will it inform the Scottish Executive’s plans for ferries over the next 12 years, but it is also likely to determine the precise nature of future tendering exercises,’ he pointed out. The Union has already made a submission to the review team, and will make a further response to specific points raised in the consultation document. ‘It is vitally important that members are fully involved in this process,’ Mr Moloney stressed. ‘Our initial document stressed the need to preserve and enhance the excellent safety record of Scotland’s ferry services and we will be working with the STUC to ensure that a detailed response is made.’ Members can take part in the review by accessing the consultation documents on the Union’s website. Dispute over vessel’s switch to FPSO status ANautilus members serving with Maersk Offshore Guernsey (MOG) on the vessel N’Kossa II are being consulted over the possibility of industrial action in a long-running dispute over the vessel’s proposed change of status to a FPSO unit. Industrial officer Ian Cloke said Nautilus and RMT members on the vessel believed their pay should be increased and tour lengths reduced to reflect the change to FPSO status. However, the company has told the unions that because of the present economic downturn it is not in a position to be able to meet any of the officers’ and CPOs’ expectations. Nautilus industrial officer Ian Cloake said the Union was extremely disappointed at the company’s stance and had urged management to rethink the ‘seriousness of the situation’. As the negotiating process had been exhausted, he said members were being asked whether they wanted to accept the terms and conditions stated in the current agreement, or request the company for a transfer to other seagoing duties. If neither of these options is acceptable, members are being asked if they want to be balloted on some form of industrial action. Mr Cloke stressed that the current agreement clearly states that members are contracted to work 70 hours per week, which is consistent with the advice Nautilus has been giving members. shortreports P&O JOBS: further talks over the impact of the planned closure of the P&O Ferries’ Portsmouth-Bilbao service were due to take place at the end of June. Industrial officer Jonathan Havard said the company had confirmed that the move will add 47 additional staff throughout the group, but these can be absorbed through natural wastage and other means. The Union contends that a redundancy situation exists, because the Portsmouth contract states that service is based in Portsmouth and is also seeking to ensure that members who transfer to Dover-Calais work week-on/week-off and not two weeks-on/two weeks-off. MAERSK CONSULT: members serving on Maersk containerships are being consulted on a twoyear pay deal giving 2% increases this year and next year. The company had originally sought to impose a pay freeze, but was urged by Nautilus to reconsider this in the light of the sacrifices made as part of the costcutting programme. The offer on the table will increase pay rates by 2% with effect from 1 September this year and by a further 2% in January 2011, as well as increasing company pension contributions. The consultation closes on 9 July. LOTHIAN CALL: Nautilus has met Lothian Shipping management to call for improvements in severance terms for members who face redundancy as a result of plans to retire the coal-carrying vessel Sir Charles Parsons. Industrial officer Steve Doran thanked members for providing him with a robust case to present to the company. ABP TALKS: Nautilus and the T&G/Unite union have had further talks about a collective bargaining agreement for members serving as pilots with Associated British Ports (Hull). Industrial officer Jonathan Havard said it is hoped that a postal ballot will be held as part of the Central Arbitration Committee application process. THAMES MEETINGS: Nautilus is staging information sessions for Thames Clippers staff to hear about the benefits of joining the Union. Industrial officer Jonathan Havard said there has been a marked increase in membership among captains, mates, deckhands and customer services personnel serving with the company. KNIGHT VISIT: Nautilus industrial officer Jonathan Havard visited the JP Knight vessel Anglian Monarch in Folkestone last month, for talks with members on issues including the current pay and conditions claim. Mr Havard said he hopes to have a response from the company by the end of June. BW BOOST: members serving with BW Fleet Management have been consulted over the company’s proposal to increase pay by 1.95% with effect from 1 January. Industrial officer Ian Cloke said the offer was the best that could be achieved in the current climate. TRINITY DEAL: members serving with Trinity House have agreed an offer that will give a total increase of 2.5% on basic pay for SVS staff on top of an additional performance-related bonus worth 2.7%. SMIT SETTLEMENT: Nautilus has agreed a 2% pay rise and increased overnight allowances for members employed by Smit International (Bristol). For further information on the above courses, please contact Vikas Patra, Head of Maritime Enterprise on: +44(0) 151 231 2572 or +44 (0) 7733 202 762 email: v.patra@ljmu.ac.uk or into.eng@ljmu.ac.uk web: www.ljmu.ac.uk/eng • Liverpool John Moores University, James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
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NEWS - Nautilus International

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