Sascha Meijer, general secretary
Sascha Meijer was elected general secretary of Nautilus International in April 2026. Ms Meijer brings 26-years of trade union experience to the role, including two years as assistant general secretary. She trained as a lawyer and has a deep commitment to the rights and welfare of working people
General secretary Sascha Meijer brings 26 years of extensive trade union experience to the role and a deep commitment to the rights and welfare of working people.
She has been deeply involved in the maritime industry for more than a decade, including a focus on national and international negotiations. She represents the maritime unions within the EU during social dialogue with the European Commission and European shipowners.
Ms Meijer prioritises strong representation for all members, and active engagement at the international level to create better, safer and fairer employment for Nautilus members and all seafarers.
As general secretary, Ms Meijer is responsible for the Nautilus Welfare Fund, including our unique welfare and care facility for retired maritime professionals Mariners’ Park in Wallasey
Ms Meijer trained as a lawyer. She switched from working at the FNV union in the Netherlands to Nautilus International in 2015, starting out as a senior national secretary until her election to the Netherlands branch board in 2017 when she became one of the Union's executive officers. She worked as a negotiator on several collective bargaining agreements, where she always sought to work closely with members (lay reps) during negotiations.
In 2017, she was elected as vice chair of the Netherlands Board of Nautilus International and succeeded as chair in 2023. In 2024 she became assistant general secretary.
Prior to being elected as general secretary, Ms Meijer was chair of the Executive Board of the Residual Legal Entity NL (RLE), which is the separate legal board of the Netherlands branch.