Manx ferry crews vote in support of strike action in dispute

Ferry crews on the Isle of Man have voted to support taking strike action in a dispute over employment conditions.

Union Nautilus, which represents 48 of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's 70 officers, said about 77% of its members took part in a ballot.

While 81% of those who responded supported a walkout, 89% backing taking action short of strike.

The BBC has contacted the ferry firm for a response.

Garry Elliot from Nautilus said the result was a "clear indication" of members' "frustrations at the unreasonable actions of the company" over plans to impose new contracts in late December.

He said industrial action was "a last resort" and affected officers were "disappointed that the employer has given them no other choice".

The officers balloted includes some of the firms engineering crews and captains.

The vote was taken following proposals from the ferry firm which would see staff live aboard the new vessel Manxman rather than return home to rest between shifts while working on services between Douglas and Heysham.

The union said the changes would see employees lose 76 days a year with friends and family, but the Steam Packet previously said the changes would reduce the risk of cancellations.

The government-owned ferry company also previously said a "generous offer" had been made to affected staff and officers who needed to be at home on a daily basis would be accommodated "as far as possible".

Although the details and dates for any industrial action have not yet been released, the union said disruption to ferry services was likely.

Mr Elliot urged the operator to "engage in meaningful negotiations to avoid disruption or commit to independent collective arbitration".

About 70% of the firm's sea-going staff who belong to the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers have already agreed to the new contracts.

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