INDUSTRIAL ACTION by members of the Australian Maritime Officers Union will likely delay tomorrow night’s sailings of TT Line’s Spirit of Tasmania ro-paxes as deck officers protest the hours they’re expected to work during seasonal double sailings.
The AMOU members are due to begin Protected Industrial Action in pursuit of enhanced manning levels on the vessels during the period of two voyages each way, each day between Geelong and Devonport (except Wednesdays).
While the action is not designed to impact on passengers there will inevitably be a delay to departure times on Friday and Saturday evenings, the union says.
“For some time now the AMOU and its members have been attempting to resolve an important safety issue in relation to the number of working hours currently worked by deck officers,” executive office Jarrod Moran said.
“During the current double sailing season members are working up to 80 hours per week instead of the normal 56 hours per week.
“The result of working these extra hours results in a lack of rest and causes fatigue.”
Working Hours of Seafarers are the subject of International Conventions and AMSA has strict guidelines on work rest and avoiding fatigue. They are important for ensuring the safety of crew, passengers, vessel and the environment, Mr Moran said.
“The action being taken is designed to minimize disruptions to the travelling public, but these may be unavoidable and will be kept to a minimum. AMOU members have undertaken to ensure that there are no disruptions to disembarking the vessel at the end of the crossings.”
Meanwhile, in Scotland, where newbuild Spirit of Tasmania IV is temporarily stabled, a former minister has suggested the vessel could be used to re-establish a direct passenger/freight link between that country and Europe
Kenny MacAskill, once Justice Minister and now the acting leader of the Alba Party, told The Sunday Mail: “The Scottish Government and the UK Government should be getting together and making this happen immediately, it is obviously in the interests of everyone.
“It’s about vision and gumption which both appear to be sadly lacking,” Mr MacAskill said. “Now they have the opportunity to provide this much needed connectivity.”
