flip flops

[bladderwracked]

Strong rumors on the shipping grapevine that Stena plans to man Holyhead vessels with Fillipino seamen , well no suprises there then.

[Porty]

I've not heard that one but with Irish Ferries using Polish crews it makes it hard for Stena to compete would be sad but they are the only shipping company on the Irish sea that have not re flagged and got non British crews.

[Jesus Wept]

Maybe for the HSS once it starts it's reduced summer-only service.  Short-term contract crews.  Would make sense but the RMT union might have something to say about it.

[Porty]

Maybe for the HSS once it starts it's reduced summer-only service.  Short-term contract crews.  Would make sense but the RMT union might have something to say about it.

Yes maybe if they transfer the HSS crew to the Stena Express then they could get round it that way but can't see the RMT allowing that, i remember when SIPTU got stuck into Irish Ferries.

[Nooks]

Presumably when the Lynx goes back to the southern crossing the crew will just swap back to the other ship. I assume seasonal crew are already used on Fishguard-Rosslaire.

Porty, I notice from AIS that Ulysses is at Cammell-Laird, presumably for winter service. How is the crossing being covered?

[Porty]

Porty, I notice from AIS that Ulysses is at Cammell-Laird, presumably for winter service. How is the crossing being covered?

Yes we have the Isle of Inishmore such a small ship.

[SickCert]

Strong rumors on the shipping grapevine that Stena plans to man Holyhead vessels with Fillipino seamen , well no suprises there then.

Maybe they wouild get the Incat, BUT not the HSS1500.

[Jesus Wept]

I believe that the RMT stance will be that they can have foreign crews but only at the same rates of pay as our own - not lower.

I think the RMT's concern is that unless they stick to that principle then Stena may start to try to intorduce cheaper crews onto the other ships and use the threat of such to suppress pay levels for the current crews.    Should be interesting anyway.  That Bob Crow is a ferocious fellow.