Nautilus has demanded that AP Moller Maersk, end forced redundancies on its Dutch flagged vessels.
The union presented a petition to Maersk management urging that 24 Dutch seafarers at risk of being dismissed be offered alternative employment across the company.
The world's largest containership owner recently sold its five remaining ships which sail under the Dutch flag. Following the sale, Maersk announced that Dutch Captains and Chief Engineers could remain in service, but that another 24 Dutch seafarers on the fleet will be made redundant.
Nautilus International deputy general secretary Marcel van den Broek said: 'It is incomprehensible to us and our members that a profitable company like Maersk, with over 300 ships in service, would not be able to find jobs for all 24 Dutch seafarers on their fleet in addition to the Dutch Captains and Chief Engineers
'Our members do not accept this and demand that Maersk will immediately withdraw all announced layoffs.
'A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on job security was concluded in 2011 between Nautilus and AP Moller Maersk. We still consider this agreement to be applicable.'
Press contacts:
Nautilus International Senior National Secretary Marcel van Dam, Tel: +31 6 155 397 32
Nautilus International Communications Advisor Hans Walthie, Tel: +31 6 292 394 99
Petition text
'Memorandum of understanding (MOU) on job security must be fulfilled'
No forced redundancies at Maersk!
In September 2020 we received a message from Maersk about the intention to divest the last remaining Dutch flagged vessels. Maersk also announced that Dutch Captains and Chief Engineers could remain in service, however the other 24 Dutch seafarers will be made redundant.
This is against the agreements made.
It is incomprehensible to us that a profitable company like Maersk, with over 300 ships in service, would not be able to place us on one of these 300 ships. We believe it must be possible, in addition to the Captains and Chief Engineers, to provide work for all 24 employees within Maersk, given the size of the fleet. In addition, our employment contracts state that 'one must serve on ships to be designated by the shipowner'. This is not flag related.
At the moment there are also colleagues on board who cannot be relieved during the holidays because there is no reliever available, while Dutch colleagues are at home who absolutely would like to sail.
We are also surprised to see that Maersk is actively promoting job opportunities and recruiting new employees in Eastern European countries. Clearly there seems to be repression here.
In addition, in 2011 a 'memorandum of understanding (MOU) on job security' was concluded between Nautilus and AP Moller Maersk. We still consider this gentlemen’s agreement to be applicable. The intended reorganization, in which 24 employees will be made redundant, is therefore completely contrary to the agreements, as laid down in this MOU.
We therefore demand that you immediately withdraw the plans resulting in the dismissals you have announced and place all colleagues threatened with dismissal on your ships.
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