Putting crews on notice fair and legal, Isle of Man ferry firm says

Putting officers who had not agreed to new live on-board contracts on notice was "fair, legal and proportionate", a ferry operator has said.

Crew members affected were put on 12 weeks' notice by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company on Friday evening.

The new terms include crews living on-board the vessel during rest periods between shifts when working on the Manxman and Ben-my-Chree in future.

The union Nautilus described the step as a "new low for the company".

The latest development in the ongoing row comes as ferry services between Douglas and Heysham resume following widespread disruption caused by gales.

The Steam Packet is a Manx government-owned company, which is run at arm's length by a board of directors.

Nautilus, which represents 48 of the ferry firm's 70 officers, said its members who had not agreed to the contracts had been issued with letters outlining plans to sack and then offer them re-employment.

The letter said notice had been served following legal advice in order to enable the company to implement the live on-board arrangements for all staff.

On Tuesday, Nautilus announced its officers would refuse to do overtime or act up to cover senior roles on the vessel from 18:00 GMT on 27 December.

It followed a ballot which showed 89% of its members backed taking action short of strike, with 81% willing to walk out.

In its latest statement, the Steam Packet said a lack of progress on negotiations had left it with "no choice but to take the least palatable option to resolving the ongoing dispute".

Officers could sign the new contracts up to 15 March, the firm added.

Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, which represents 70% of the firm's staff, have agreed to the new contracts.

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