Counting the cost of crews

摘要

The change in relations that has taken place between shipowners and operators on one side and seafarers and crew suppliers on the other seems to revolve around crew cost. Negotiations over wages have reached an impasse, with employers determined to cut seafarer salaries by up to 10% and unions equally determined to push for a small hike.rnPreviously owners and managers would try to maintain existing levels or even agreed with unions on a 10% hike with associated social benefits in their collective agreement. Now, owners are alleged to be driving down wages in an effort to reduce costs.