Pay victory at Lloyd's Register

Members at Lloyd's Register's Dutch operations have secured a significant pay improvement following industrial action, ending a protracted dispute at the classification society. 

They voted overwhelmingly to end the action after the company unilaterally offered an uplift of between 3.9% and 4.2% – almost double its usual increase and close to the 4.5% sought by Nautilus. 

Industrial relations at the company deteriorated sharply during 2025 after Lloyd's Register imposed a series of below-inflation pay offers, despite recording near-record profits and awarding substantial bonuses to senior management. Nautilus International, which now represents the majority of employees at the Dutch operation, repeatedly sought meaningful negotiations on behalf of members, but these efforts were rebuffed. 

As the cost-of-living crisis continued to erode wages, members voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action after the company cancelled negotiations and tabled another below-inflation unilateral offer despite a profitable year and significant bonuses for senior management. Nautilus called on Lloyd's Register to agree to a fair pay increase, introduce a transparent pay structure and provide assurances that terms and conditions would not be changed without consultation. 

Tensions intensified when Lloyd's Register warned staff that participation in industrial action could result in salary deductions of up to 75% – a move Nautilus described as unprecedented in the Netherlands. Rather than deterring action, the threat strengthened members' resolve. 

Members adopted targeted and strategic action designed to avoid disrupting customers while exerting pressure on management. Surveyors and specialists continued core duties but withdrew administrative support, including submitting timesheets, which prevented invoices being issued and significantly affected cash flow at a critical point in the financial year – a tactic to which Nautilus executive officer Richard Moti attributes the successful resolution of the industrial action. 

The Union will continue to attempt good-faith negotiations with Lloyd's Register on the issues that remain unaddressed by the company following the unilateral pay offer: a fair and transparent pay scale and remuneration system, and an agreement that the primary and secondary terms and conditions of employment in the Employee Handbook will only be changed after consultation with Nautilus International.