INTRODUCTION OF NEW ROSTER PATTERNS – VICTORIA TERMINAL 1&2, BELFAST – STENA LINE

Our Ref: SH/8/2

 

9 May 2024

 

 

Dear RMT Member

 

INTRODUCTION OF NEW ROSTER PATTERNS – VICTORIA TERMINAL 1&2, BELFAST – STENA LINE

 

As you may be aware, your union met with your employer on Wednesday in relation to a consultation over shift patterns in Victoria terminals 1 & 2.  This was a result of a survey being conducted in February 2023 by Stena to ascertain “what the feeling is amongst the staff who work split shifts” and a decision taken by the company to survey A and B gangs, but not C gang.

 

The company survey concluded with the following results.

32 PSOs invited to take part in the survey.

30 Responses received.

18 in favour of exploring alternative shifts.

10 in favour of remaining on split shifts.

2 did not provide a preference.

 

To ascertain answers to the above and to address concerns with input from all RMT across all shifts, RMT conducted our own survey of members, including team leaders and those employed within the workshop.

 

We received 30 responses to our snap survey of our membership over the bank holiday weekend.

 

To be transparent, we have included a breakdown of answers to all the questions including answers to the question about improvements that RMT as a union can make. 

 

The questions that we laid out within the survey and responses (in red) are as follows:

 

1)   Which gang are you currently working in?

• A Gang - 11 employees (36.67%)
• B Gang – 7 employees (23.33%)
• C Gang – 10 employees (33.33%)
• Other – 2 employees (6.67%)

 

2)   What are you employed as?

• PSO – 26 employees (86.67%)
• Team Leader – 2 employees (6.67%)
• Mechanic Workshop – 2 employees (6.67%)

 

3)   How Long have you been in your current employment?

• Less than 2 years – 3 employees (10%)
• 2-5 years – 4 employees (13.33%)
• 5-10 years – 3 employees (10%)
• 10-20 years – 2 employees (6.67%)
• 20 years + - 18 employees (60%)

 

4)   A Previous survey on alternative shift patters was conducted by your employer in February 2023.  Did you respond to this survey?

• Yes – 12 employees (40%)
• No – 12 employees (40%)
• I do not remember- 6 employees (20%)

          

5)   What shifts are you currently employed on?

• Split shifts – 18 employees (62.07%)
• Straight shifts – 11 employees (37.93%)

 

6)   As you are aware, your union has entered into a consultation over shift patterns at the request of your employer who has presented an initial rota for discussion.  Based on the information that you have and potential for change to an alternative shift pattern would you prefer?

• To stay on my current shift pattern – 20 employees (66.67%)
• To look at an alternative to my current shift pattern - 10 employees (33.33%)

          

7)   During this consultation, what principles for improvements (if any) to shift patterns would you like your union to support?

• Start & Finish times (numerous times)
• 2 days 12-hour shifts, 2 nights 12-hour shifts.
• Straight Shifts for improved work / life balance and health and safety.
• As it is now.
• Nothing to change.
• Proper rest period between shifts and proper structure as in tea breaks implemented during working hours.
• The current shift patterns remain and are staffed to appropriate levels.
• To remain as I am.
• To remain on split shifts.
• Keep C gang.
• Health and safety aspect of break time between shifts ie when a PM shift runs excessively over hours but employees are still required to turn out for an a.m shift with a rest period of ¾ hours between shifts.
• Only those who asked for a change to their shift patterns are affected, I have adapted my home life around the shifts I signed up to do!
• A confirmed starting time and no messaging during rest periods or time off between shifts.
• Start and finish time, tea breaks and a shift allowance for AM starts.
• Better management when ships aren’t running to schedule.
• All gangs take a turn at weekends, keep good time between shifts, equalised pay.
• Improved communication
• Straight shifts and no getting up at 2.45am
• Start and finish time to give better predictability to my working day.

 

8)   In your own words, what shift improvements (if any) would help to recruit and retain port workers?

• Shift bonus, something to boost morale which is at an all-time low.
• Straight shifts would help recruit and retain port workers, every worker on the same shift would assist as some people leaving because of the variance.  Not Healthy doing split shifts as not enough rest between shifts and tiredness is a major issue in this job.
• Straight Shifts.
• Straights shifts as people have left due to travelling 4 times per day.
• Straights shifts would help with recruitment and health and safety concerns.
• Bigger Gangs
• More Tugs, More PSO’s, Better management, and an ability to be able to take leave.  Better pay.
• Working hours that we are contracted to do.
• Straight shifts as splits put people off.
• Start and finish times to avoid coming in early.
• One contract for all workers.
• Straight shifts and everyone doing the same shifts on equal pay.
• Start and Finish times (numerous times)
• New workers are led up the garden path when training and they work 6am – 2pm and that is not the shift they will be working.
• Salary increase, suitable staffing levels to spread the workload and improve holiday requests.
• One boat a week with full money.
• Equal pay.
• Better communication from company.
• Lack of respect by management and dismissive type of attitude towards the large and ever-increasing number of freight handled by the existing PSO’s at VT1&2 makes retention and recruitment difficult.
• Stronger leadership, too many people seem to be rewarded for for bad behaviour whilst good people are expected to pick up the slack.
• All port workers on the same shift pattern.
• Start and finish times, proper rest between shifts, proper management and treated like you are a part of the company.
• Bring an end to 4am starts, better equipment and stagger ships.  Everyone on the same rate of pay.
• Better money, straight shifts and to be treated with dignity by the company.
• Up at 2.45 a.m is not a shift pattern it’s a death sentence, no more split shifts as doctor has told me, proper breaks between shifts.
• I don’t believe the shifts are the problem, but a failure by management to appease new employees who don’t stick around and not valuing the input of long-term employees.

 

9)   Lastly, your union strives to improve the service provided to our port and maritime members.  Please outline any areas where we can improve?

• Pay Parity
• More communication from the union as the survey should have been sent out immediately.
• Highlight to members that the management are not our friends.
• More comms from representatives
• Different deal for different contracts
• Able to take holidays, better pay.
• Im not sure.
• Communication, last meeting held but no communication.
• The convenor is a great step forward and should help us.
• Union is doing well keep up the good work.
• I’m quite happy with representation and improvements being made.
• Better Pay, no incentive for TUPE PSO to progress.
• Happy with representation and improvements.
• Different contracts, same wages.
• None.
• Health and safety in the case of late finishes and early starts.
• Communication, union notice board, contact numbers and a private room to discuss matters in VT1&2.
• Improve health and safety as it terrible.
• No suggestions as the communication from the unions rep and officers is very good!

Our Analysis of the survey has identified the following:

• That 66% of your employees don’t want change
• Start and finish times are creating a health and safety concern particularly surrounding rest periods
• Those on split shifts require definitive start and finish times
• Communication needs to be improved to employees from both the union and management
• Management of the workforce could be improved

 

We presented the results of the above survey to your employer at the meeting, which highlighted a range of opinions and sentiments among our membership.  I believe the survey provided valuable context, helping to identify key areas of focus as we move forward. It was recognised that addressing these issues is crucial for both the Company and the RMT as part of our ongoing consultation regarding shift pattern changes. We are pleased to report that the meeting was positive and both parties have committed to ongoing dialogue to address issues impacting morale for the PSOs at Belfast VT1 & VT2 as per the statement sent to all employees by your employer yesterday.

 

I hope that this keeps you updated on this matter.

 

Lastly, can I remind all members of the importance to encourage those small number of individuals not currently in the RMT to join to ensure that our views represent the collect voice of your workplace and have direct input to any proposed changes with your terminal.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary