Silver Constellation crew win their pay

Silver Constellation crew win their pay
17 February 2009
The 25 Filipino crew of the Silver Constellation have finally received their outstanding wages and were due to be repatriated from Cornwall, England following a protracted struggle to recover back pay. The ITF helped the crew clinch a final acceptable pay settlement on 16 February.
The crew had taken two months' strike action while in Scottish waters, but had then been laid up off Falmouth, England with dwindling provisions while their back pay and repatriation were being negotiated (see news stories 9 and 16 January 2009). The crew ran out of food while in Cornish waters, but received emergency supplies from the local Mission to Seafarers.
Norrie McVicar, the ITF coordinator UK and Ireland, pursued the company to win what was owed to the crew, and a remaining final settlement of around US$204,000 wages, outstanding since July 2008, was paid on 16 February. "The 25 Filipino crew will leave the vessel in Falmouth at around 5pm tonight with letters of indemnity in place, back pay and a smile!" he reported.The Silver Constellation will remain in Falmouth for repairs with a new crew of 21 Indian seafarers. Meanwhile, ITF affiliates in Hong Kong will be pursuing an ITF-approved collective bargaining agreement to cover the vessel.