Kihnu Veeteed and seamen reach deal, cancelling strike

ERR reported on Wednesday that ferry operator Kihnu Veeteed and the Independent Seamen’s Union of Estonia have reached a collective agreement, cancelling an indefinite strike planned to begin on September 18.

The agreement establishes a wage scale for employees, with a performance bonus of up to 5%. The food allowance will also increase, while from 2028 basic wages are expected to rise in line with the growth of Estonia’s average gross wage.

Union chairman Jüri Lember said the most important figure concerned the pay of deckhands, which would be around 1,650. The wage scale also means that new employees cannot be hired for a particular position below the agreed minimum.

The union said on September 10 that negotiations had failed to produce an agreement and began preparing for the strike, which was due to start at midnight on September 18 and continue until a deal was reached.

“Our goal is never to strike,” Lember said, adding that industrial action becomes necessary when the other side is not constructive, does not discuss specific amounts of money or does not negotiate seriously.

The new collective agreement will remain in force for three years or until Kihnu Veeteed stops operating its current ferry routes. If a new operator takes over the routes, Lember said most current employees would probably move to the new employer with the vessels.

The union has also proposed that the Estonian Shipowners’ Association conclude a sector-wide collective agreement. Lember said it could eventually apply to shipping companies operating ferry routes and regulate working hours and minimum pay.

For passengers, the agreement means there will be no service disruptions caused by the strike planned for Friday.