Carnival UK (subsidiary of Carnival Corporation) has opted to reverse its initial decision to terminate and rehire 900 British officers from P&O UK and Cunard, a move that had sparked controversy and public criticism.
The decision followed negotiations with Nautilus, the union representing the affected maritime professionals, and came shortly after the disclosure of the company's plans to implement significant changes to the terms and conditions of its officers across ten UK-based cruise vessels.
Facing widespread backlash, Carnival UK had originally proposed dismissing 919 officers, comprising professional, managerial, and technical staff, unless they accepted modifications that could potentially reduce their annual earnings by up to 20% starting in early 2024.
In a joint statement released after talks on Friday, Nautilus International and Carnival UK affirmed their commitment to engaging in "meaningful consultation" to find a resolution. The statement clarified that Carnival UK had withdrawn the HR1 form, a document that had raised concerns among the officers and had been submitted to the insolvency service.
According to the statement, Nautilus International and Carnival UK were able to confirm, "following joint discussions", that both parties were "committed to engaging in meaningful consultation in finding a way forward following the start of consultation on proposed contractual changes for 919 maritime professionals."
The statement emphasized Carnival UK's assurance to Nautilus International, stating:
"Carnival UK has reassured Nautilus International of there being no intent to undertake steps towards dismissal and re-engagement, and have rescinded the HR1 form submitted to the insolvency service, while providing an update to the relevant Bermudan authorities."
Both the union and the company expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the dispute, as they now work towards a negotiated settlement aimed at addressing the concerns of all parties involved. The maritime community, relieved by the reversal of the dismissal threat, observes closely as discussions progress towards a mutually beneficial agreement between Carnival UK and Nautilus International.