Unions plans to bring wages protest to Carnival Australian Open tennis cruise

• The MUA will protest at Station Pier due to allegations that Carnival is exploiting its workers.
• The protest will be on January 21, as a Carnival ship arrives in Melbourne.
• Cruise Passenger has broken down the wages issue: see our story here.

The Maritime Union Australia (MUA) is planning a demonstration outside Station Pier in Melbourne after claims that Carnival Cruise Line is underpaying its workers.

The Maritime Union wrote on Facebook: “At 8am Wednesday, Carnival Cruises is sailing into Melbourne for the Australian Open, and we’re going to be there to give them the welcome they deserve.

“Why? Carnival (finally) agreed to meet with us, but claimed their ships don’t need union agreements because “their conditions are so good”.

“Well as it turns out ordinary Victorians have a different idea of ‘good pay and conditions’ than fat cat American multi-billionaires.”

The union alleges that workers are earning as little as $2.50 an hour, and dealing with “precarious contracts, cramped living conditions, poor quality food and water” and more.

The union is specifically looking to make union agreements for the three Carnival ships that sail year-round in Australia, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.

They said: “The Maritime Union of Australia has notified Carnival that they want Union agreements for the three Australian vessels, but despite two meetings, the company is refusing to budge.

Cruise Passenger published a breakdown of the situation.. Here are some of the basics of what to know.

• Carnival says: “Carnival shipboard wages meet and most often exceed International Maritime Organisation labour standards, and are supplemented by free housing, food, medical care, training, transportation and other benefits provided.”
• The minimum monthly wage for seafarers according to this standard is USD$690 per month. According to anonymously reported salaries, most seafarers are paid more than this.
• By Australian standards, hourly wages are low. However, these jobs are generally in high-demand and have high retention rates as they pay significantly more than the minimum wage in countries like the Philippines or Indonesia, where many crew members come from. Furthermore, the job has benefits like included accomodation, food and health care, meaning a higher portion of your pay check can be saved.