Members at Stena Line vote to accept two-year pay deal

Nautilus members at Stena Line have voted to accept a two-year pay agreement that will deliver wage increases, improved pension contributions and a mechanism to review pay against inflation.

The deal includes a consolidated uplift of 3.9% to basic pay, backdated to 1 January 2026, which will provide an immediate financial boost at a time when cost-of-living pressures remain a concern. A further 3% consolidated pay increase will apply from 1 January 2027.

Alongside the pay rise, employer pension contributions for those enrolled in the defined contribution (DC) scheme will increase by 0.5%, bringing the total employer contribution to 6.5% from the start of 2026. In 2027, pension contributions will again rise by 0.5%, taking the employer contribution to 7%.

The package includes an inflation review mechanism designed to respond to economic uncertainty. If the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rate for October 2026 exceeds 3.5%, the company has committed to entering discussions with the Union to reassess the second year of the agreement.

In addition to pay and pensions, the company has proposed a new health and wellbeing initiative aimed at supporting employees with long-term physical conditions. The Union has agreed to explore the proposal further in separate discussions.

Nautilus head of industrial Micky Smyth thanked members for their participation in the process, which concluded with a strong vote in favour of the deal.