Treasury minister hopes for agreement between Steam Packet and Nautilus

Dr Allinson responds to calls for him to intervene in dispute

The treasury minister has said he hopes that an "agreed solution" is reached between the Steam Packet Company and Nautilus International.

The union will begin industrial action at 6pm on Wednesday after officers were told they'll lose their jobs if they don't agree to new contracts.

New terms will require staff to live on board vessels for up to two weeks at a time.

Nautilus International wrote to Dr Allinson on Saturday evening saying "the Isle of Man government surely cannot allow a company they own to act with such disregard for due process and the lives of their employees."

The minister says he's received the letter, and replied: "Thank you for your email and attached letter from Nautilus International’s senior national secretary.

"I understand the legal nature of the current industrial dispute and the necessary timelines this involves.

"I hope that through active communication between the relevant parties an agreed solution can be achieved".

The Steam Packet Company says it's acted legally and proportionately.

Chris Thomas MHK has told Manx Radio that he thinks collective arbitration is needed, because it's a requirement of the Sea Services Agreement.

He says because the Treasury is the Steam Packet's shareholder, Minister Allinson should step in and encourage independent collective arbitration.