Nautilus in taskforce backing cruiseship crew caught in political crosswinds

Nautilus International is working with the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) Cruise Ship Task Force to ensure UK cruiseship crew are not overlooked. We are campaigning on issues as wide-ranging as the Middle East conflict through to tipping transparency. Nautilus head of international relations Danny McGowan explains how to Deborah McPherson

Inside the ITF Cruise Ship Task Force 

Thousands of Nautilus International members work across the global cruise industry, often on ships flagged outside their home country and crewed by seafarers from many different nations. The global nature of cruising is exactly why Nautilus, as a cross-border union, plays an active role in the ITF Cruise Ship Task Force, comments Nautilus head of international relations Danny McGowan. 

'The Task Force brings together maritime unions from around the world that are involved in representing cruiseship workers. It includes unions from beneficial ownership countries [where the cruise companies are really owned and controlled] such as the UK, Germany and the United States, alongside unions from labour-providing nations including the Philippines, Indonesia and India. ITF inspectors with specialist cruiseship training are also part of the group, ensuring conditions on board are properly monitored. 

'For Nautilus, the ITF Cruise Ship Task Force provides a crucial forum to raise members' concerns at an international level,' says Mr McGowan. 

Current challenges: the Middle East crisis 

One of the most immediate issues tackled by the Task Force at this year's annual meeting is the situation in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. At the time of the discussion, at least six cruiseships – with thousands of seafarers – remained stuck in the region due to ongoing hostilities. 

While resolving the crisis goes far beyond the cruise industry alone, unions are closely monitoring seafarer welfare, says Mr McGowan. 'Cruise companies have repatriated passengers, but crew repatriation has been made difficult by restricted commercial flights. In the meantime, companies have enabled access to onboard facilities that are normally reserved for passengers, and are working hard to ensure medication and essential supplies reach crew.'  

A growing industry – but gaps remain 

Despite political uncertainty in some regions, the Task Force heard the cruise industry continues to grow, with strong forward bookings and significant numbers of newbuild vessels planned. Around 330,000 seafarers now work in the sector worldwide. 

Encouragingly, around 80% of cruiseship seafarers are employed under collective bargaining agreements negotiated by unions through the ITF. However, Mr McGowan stresses that the remaining 20% still lack that protection – a gap the Task Force wants to close. 

Tackling flags of convenience 

Cruiseships often sail under flags of convenience (FOCs), making international cooperation essential. The ITF's long-running Flag of Convenience campaign, supported by Nautilus, focuses on ensuring fair pay and decent conditions on vessels flying FOCs. 

This approach relies on close cooperation between unions that negotiate with cruise companies in their ownership countries and those representing crew supplied from elsewhere, explains Mr McGowan, adding that the collaboration is one of the Task Force's greatest strengths. 

'It's really important, in the context of that campaign and in the context of flags of convenience, that unions from beneficial ownership countries and unions from labour-providing countries can have a way of working together closely, to look at those terms and conditions for all seafarers,' he says. 'Unions represented cover all forms of employment in the cruise industry: from officer rank right through to hotel catering and concessionaire workers [those contracted to work in areas such as shops and spas]. That beneficial ownership area is where we look to see where we can carry out union negotiations. So, in the UK, Nautilus has the right, for example, to negotiate with the companies whose vessels are "beneficially-owned" in the UK.' 

Looking ahead: CLIA, concessions and gratuities 

Future work will include building a working relationship with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). While agreement may not be reached in all areas, unions see value in engaging at an industrywide level to push for higher standards and prevent companies competing by driving down conditions, says Mr McGowan. 

Other priorities include improving protections for those employed by concessionaires on board, who are not always covered by collective agreements, and tackling longstanding concerns around gratuities. With more cruise lines now including tips in passenger fares, unions want greater transparency to ensure money intended for crew actually reaches them. 

Have your say 

Between annual task force meetings, working groups will push these issues forward. Cruiseship members with concerns or suggestions are encouraged to contact their Nautilus strategic organiser, in the first instance, to ensure their voices feed into these international discussions.