Carnival lashes Maritime Union as Carnival Adventure sails into Melbourne amid protests

• The claims over crew pay became heated today as the MUA announced protests at Station Pier, Melbourne.
• Carnival Adventure arrives in Melbourne for the Australian Open.
• 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 claiming that Carnival Cruise Line is underpaying its workers.

But Carnival has issued its strongest statement yet on the issue, accusing the MUA of using the issue to recruit new members and refuting the wages claims.

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.

Carnival fought back against the campaign and planned protests in a statement.

“Let’s call the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) activity for what it is: an organising drive to increase membership and raise revenue for their organisation. They don’t care about our employees except to try to get a portion of their paycheck for their treasury.

“This so-called campaign is offensive to the dedicated shipboard team members who take pride in their work and in the culture of respect that defines Carnival Cruise Line.

“Our terms of employment meet, and in most cases exceed, the standards set by the International Maritime Organisation under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

“The crew are further supported by free accommodation, meals, medical care, training, transportation, and other benefits.  Furthermore, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority ensures strict international crew welfare standards are met through regular port state control inspections. 

“Carnival’s shipboard teams include crew who have been with us for 30 or even 40 years — people who build careers with us, support their families through their work, and in many cases sail alongside spouses, siblings, or relatives.

“The Melbourne demonstration seeks to disrupt the experience of thousands of guests sailing to the Australian Open.  This action is insulting to people supporting one of the country’s great sporting events that contributes jobs to the Victorian economy.  We expect the MUA to continue with their lame tactics, and most people to continue to ignore their antics.”

However, the union is standing firmly behind its claims.

They said in a press release: “Victorian union members have today backed the MUA campaign to end the extreme exploitation on Carnival Cruise ships based in Australia and will meet the Carnival Adventure when it arrives in Port Melbourne for the Australian Open tomorrow.

“Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Organiser Shane Reside said “Carnival Cruises is paying its crew as little as $2.50 an hour to work on its Australian cruise ships.  It’s disgusting – this has got to be the worst labour exploitation we have ever seen, and it’s happening in plain sight”.

Are cruise workers underpaid?

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.

Cruise Lines International Association Australasia issued a statement saying: “Cruise ships operate under a globally recognised system of international maritime law, including the Maritime Labour Convention, which establishes comprehensive standards for seafarer wages, working and living conditions, health, and welfare.

“These standards are enforced through flag-state oversight and port-state inspections when ships call at ports around the world, including Australia. The cruise industry supports strong enforcement of international maritime standards and the protections they provide for seafarers.”