Cunard hits back at RMT

CUNARD has hit back at union criticism of its employment practices after dismissing reports of staff walkouts on Queen Mary 2.

Reports up to 90 staff walked out have been rejected as “nonsense” by Cunard senior vice-president for Europe Peter Shanks, who said there have been just five resignations since June out of 1,258 staff.

But now Cunard has come under fire from shipping union RMT over the employment of foreign nationals on QM2.

RMT union general secretary Bob Crow is concerned about pay levels for foreign staff. He said: “The RMT has sought but not received details of pay and conditions on QM2. The ship should be crewed by UK nationals, on UK pay and conditions.”

But Cunard claimed the RMT does have details of conditions on QM2 as unions were consulted as part of the ship’s design process. Shanks said pay levels are confidential. He insisted Cunard has a close relationship with unions and staff, adding employees were thoroughly trained in France and motivation was good. A Cunard spokesman said the employment of foreign nationals is widespread across the industry.