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The past 12 months has been a breakthrough period for Nautilus, turning political relations into real progress for maritime workers. Since the 2024 general election, we've stepped up our game in fighting for your rights – and we're already seeing some impressive results. Helen Kelly reports
The creation of a dedicated Public Affairs role in November 2024 has been a game-changer. With a new team member boasting strong connections to the Labour Party and previous experience with the maritime minister, we've amplified our ability to advocate for members' interests at the highest levels of government.
Our targeted engagement has yielded impressive results:
- secured multiple high-level meetings with Mike Kane, maritime minister, and Louise Haigh, former Transport Secretary
- established productive dialogue with Ruth Cadbury, chair of the Transport Select Committee, who has recommended a formal Nautilus committee hearing
- launched an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on maritime matters, with the maritime minister confirmed as a keynote speaker at the inaugural May 2025 meeting
Fighting for your rights
Our campaign work continues to press for critical changes in the Employment Rights Bill (ERB), focusing on:
- ending exploitative fire and rehire practices
- mandating comprehensive company consultations
- providing unions with stronger legal protections
- introducing a mandatory Seafarers' Charter
- requiring shipowners to provide advance notification of potential mass redundancies
Working alongside the Trades Union Congress and RMT union, we are committed to delivering meaningful legislative changes that protect and support maritime professionals.
These developments represent a significant step forward in our ongoing mission to protect and enhance the rights of maritime workers. Nautilus remains dedicated to being a powerful voice for our members, both nationally and internationally.
Key priorities for helping young workers
Nautilus International general secretary Mark Dickinson outlined key priorities for improving the lives of the UK’s young workers at the Trades Union Council (TUC) Young Workers’ Conference on 22 March 2025. These included delivering the UK government’s Employment Rights Bill in full, fighting the rising threat of the far right, and strengthening the trade union movement.
Mr Dickinson, who is also president of the TUC, was speaking on behalf of Nautilus International.
Young workers are facing a 'volatile cocktail of issues', including soaring rents, worsening mental health, and insecure, low-paying jobs, Mr Dickinson said. The TUC's top priority is to ensure the government delivers on the landmark Employment Rights Bill, which he described as 'the biggest upgrade to workers' and union rights in a generation'. The bill aims to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts; introduce day-one unfair dismissal rights; improve sick pay and parental leave; and boost the minimum wage while giving protections from third-party harassment.
'The Employment Rights Bill will help level the playing field for us,’ he said. ‘Not just by repealing the current anti-trade union legislation, but by giving us new rights to access workplaces, organise workers and gain recognition.'
The union movement also needed to grow and diversify, Mr Dickinson added. With workers under 35 now representing 25% of union members, down from 35% in 1995, he called for a renewed focus on organising.
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Bold UK reforms needed to ward off 'volatile cocktail' of issues for young workers, Nautilus general secretary tells TUC Young Workers' Conference
Nautilus International general secretary Mark Dickinson outlined three key priorities for improving the lives of the UK's young workers at the Trades Union Council (TUC) Young Workers’ Conference on 22 March 2025.
Seafarers at the helm: European Shipping Summit hears unions' concerns on sustainable careers
Nautilus general secretary calls for urgent employment reforms and stronger legal protections for women workers at TUC Women's Conference
Nautilus International general secretary Mark Dickinson has highlighted the severe challenges faced by women in maritime during a speech at the TUC Women's Conference, calling for urgent employment reforms and stronger legal protections.
Nautilus stands up for maternity rights for women at sea
A Nautilus motion calling for improved maternity and pay provision for women seafarers has received unanimous backing from the 2025 Trades Union Congress (TUC) Women's Conference, held ahead of International Women's Day (8 March).
Nautilus pushes for fair working conditions at maritime roundtable with IMO
Nautilus assistant general secretary Sascha Meijer took part in a roundtable in Rotterdam looking at the future of the maritime sector, which was also attended by International Maritime Organization (IMO) secretary general Arsenio Dominguez.