A Collective Agreement on board is necessary

The crew of the M/V "Blue Balance" (flag of Panama), moored in St. Petersburg, have learnt that from its own experience.

During a routine visit of the vessel by the representatives of  the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the Seafarers' Union of Russia (SUR), nobody anticipated unexpectedness: the employer  signed the IBF collective agreement as recently as several years ago. So it was a big surprise when, while checking payrolls, it was found out, that the seafarers were working at the rates agreed in  2015,  whereas according to   the terms of the collective agreement, the wage rates  should have been increased three times by 2018: in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

It is noteworthy, that through the established bonus system, the monthly earnings of the crew members of "Blue Balance" was at a decent level. But do not forget that the basic wage, the increase of which was planned three times in several years, is the basis for calculating all the seafarers' payments - from  sick pay to disability compensation.

As a result of the negotiations, the shipowner admitted its mistake. According to  the seafarers, each crew member now have a new labor contract, endorsed by the Philippine Agency for Employment Abroad (POEA), and all ratings received their due money in the amount of difference between the rates prescribed in the IBF contract. Moreover,  SUR and ITF proved the right of seafarers to the salary including bonuses.

This is another real life story, showing  how quickly and, that the most significantly, how effective the issues can be resolved when there is a collective agreement on board the ship.