Vessel operators’ federation SFS and seamen’s unions have reached terms for the coming ten years. This agreement comes after a long period with no agreement in place.
On behalf of the crews, the agreement has been signed by unions Félag skipstjórnarmanna, Sjómannasamband Íslands, Sjómanna- og vélstjórafélag Grindavíkur and VM Félag vélstjóra og málmtæknimanna.
‘Despite the long process leading up to new agreements being reached, I consider that this engagement has given us a greater insight into the issues we were facing. The interests of seamen and fishing companies are ultimately the same. This is about more than ensuring that work at sea remains attractive, well paid and for values to be divided fairly – although these are naturally all important factors,’ said SFS director Heiðrún Lind Marteinsdóttir.
‘We want crews to be well, both mentally and physically, with the right balance between work and private life, and financially secure. We put a strong emphasis on these matters. Now we just hope that we have met the expectations of those who trusted us to negotiate thes agreements.’
She commented that a ten-year agreement ensures a basis to maintain well-paid seagoing jobs, and the establishment of a safety committee plases a stronger emphasis that ever on safety issues and the wellbeing of seafarers.
