6 April 2020
RMT Press Office:
RMT on Stena Line announcement to furlough staff and issue redundancies
STENA LINE union RMT reacted to today's announcement that some 600 Stena Line staff from its 2000+ strong seafarer, docker and port service workforce in the UK and Ireland will be furloughed and a further 150 redundancies will be sought, despite a lack of certainty over seafarer access to the UK Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Schemes.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“This is another major employer of UK seafarers reacting to flat lining demand by gambling with key workers' jobs and future at a time of national crisis.
“Redundancies are a serious development and must not be used to avoid other alternatives that would save jobs. We seek further discussions on that as part of the mandatory consultation process.
“Dock and port workers are eligible for state support but we cannot agree to 'furlough' for our seafarers when the Government guidance does not give UK seafarers at Stena Line or other major employers clarity on eligibility.
“The furlough scheme will be retrospective so Stena Line should commit to covering 100% of wages for everyone affected by today's announcement, as well as reinstating the company sick pay scheme for all employees."
Ends.
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