Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – Stena Line (Seafarers)

Our Ref: SH/0001/SL(S)

5^th January 2024

 

Dear Colleagues 

 

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – Stena Line (Seafarers)

 

Referring to previous correspondence, the e-referendum has now concluded and the result is as follows:

 

Question: Are you prepared to accept the company’s offer?

 

Votes Cast     337                                                                                     

Voting ‘Yes’    268                                                                                                 

Voting ‘No’     69                                                                                                           

 

Noting the result, the National Executive Committee has instructed me to inform the company of our acceptance of the offer. This instruction has been carried out and I have requested that the increase and any back monies are paid at the earliest opportunity. For ease of reference, the accepted pay offer is as follows: 

 

Base Uplift for All Employees 

 

From 1^st January 2024, all employees will benefit from a minimum 5.5% increase in base salary. 

 

Historic Stena Line Rates of Pay 

 

All those RMT Ratings who are on historic/legacy rates of pay will receive 5.5% uplift in their salaries, effective from 1^st January 2024. 

 

Increments for G2 Stewards on Current Stena Line Rates of Pay 

 

Specifically, for G2 Stewards, we are introducing an incremental pay structure effective from 1st June 2024, with increases at the 2-year and 5-year service marks. This anniversary date for increments will be effective on 1^st June for each subsequent year where the individual G2 meets the pre-requisite length of service in the 12 months prior to 1^st June.  For G2 Stewards on these increments, this represents an award of up to 25.82% from 2023 for those with 5 or more years of service on “current” Stena Line rates of pay:

 

• G2 entry salary will increase by 5.5% to £25,171.25 
• G2 Year 2 salary will increase to £28,244.00 effective 1^st June 2024
• G2 Year 5 salary will increase to £30,020.00 effective 1^st June 2024 

 

It is noted from negotiations of maintaining parity with length of service versus the tickets achieved by Chefs onboard vessels. Therefore, the agreed rank of Grade 2 Chef COC, will increase salary to £30,020.00 from 1^st June 2024 – an increase of 7.95%. In addition, the Grade 2 Chef Rank entry rate has been adjusted accordingly to £28,244.00. As per our negotiations, future applicants to vacancies for the “Grade 1 Chef Rank” will be subject to a requirement of 3 years’ experience in an external Head Chef role in a similar sized working environment to a ship’s galley. These amendments are not being made on the historic rates of pay, 5.5% will be applied to those salaries. As per negotiations, future applicants to vacancies for the “Grade 1 Chef Rank” will be subject to a requirement of 3 years’ experience in an external Head Chef role in a similar sized working environment to a ship’s galley. These amendments are not being made on the historic rates of pay, 5.5% will be applied to those salaries. 

 

Specific Salary Uplifts for SMD Ratings on Current Stena Line Rates of Pay 

 

In addition to the base uplift, specific grades on the “current” Stena Line rates of pay will see further increases from 1^st January 2024 of up to 9% (inclusive of 5.5%):

 

• Able Seamen holding a II/5 ticket will receive a pay award of 9% as an Able Seafarer Deck 
• Current Motormen holding a III/5 ticket will receive a pay award of 9% as an Able Seafarer Engine. 
• Current Motorman holding a III/4 ticket will receive a pay award of 5.5% as a Engineering Watch Rating. 
• Able Seamen holding a II/4 ticket salary will be aligned with the Engineering Watch Rating position. 
• Hotel Repairman, Assistant Bosun and Bosun ranks will receive a pay award of 7.5% 
• Able Seamen holding a II/4/ EDH ticket will be aligned with the salary of the Engineering Watch Rating position. This represents an award of over 30% in line with the company’s objective to develop a career at sea for Stena Line ratings and sustainable manning for the future. 

 

These amendments are not being made on the historic rates of pay, 5.5% will be applied to those salaries. 

 

Gender Neutral Terminology 

 

In addition, it is the intention of the company to move towards gender neutral rank terminology and the company looks forward to working with the RMT in progressing this initiative. In particular, a new rank term for “Hotel Repairman” is expected to be discussed and agreed at the next JNCC meeting with RMT. 

 

Voluntary Recall Rate Increase 

 

Stena Line are also increasing the voluntary recall rate permanently to 1.25x the base rate of pay. The training rate of recall will remain at 1.15x and detention onboard will be 1.5x rates of recall as per the current CBA. 

 

Stena Britannica 

 

It is recognised that Stena Britannica has a structure and management outside of the alignment of the Irish Sea vessels. Following positive negotiation and discussions between Stena Line and the RMT on 30^th November 2023, Stena Line are also offering: 

 

• An agreement to the “upgrading” of one G1 post per crew in the Galley to a G1 Co-ordinator (Sous Chef) in line with the structure on the Irish Sea Vessels. This is agreed to be implemented before the end of Q1 2024 

 

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch

General Secretary