November152009.jpg)
A union official at the Steam Packet says the crisis facing the company following the recent introduction of a rival freight shipping service must be discussed by Tynwald as soon as possible.
Chief officer on the Ben-my-Chree Chris Bowen will be among the staff who will greet MHKs and MLCs as they arrive at Tynwald for tomorrow's sitting, with a call for an emergency debate.
Mr Bowen, the representative for the officers' union Nautilus, says the company has 300 worried employees, and the Island's ferry lifeline is under serious threat, because the Steam Packet's freight operation has always subsidised the ferry services.
He believes rival firm Mezeron could turn out to be a 'here today, gone tomorrow' operation, but says action is needed now:

Minister gives full backing to new hygiene ratings scheme for eateries
Poet says Gaiety's Katie Hopkins booking is 'not appropriate'
Almost 3,000 take part in Pilates world record attempt at Knockaloe