When workplaces are also homes
[ch 4: page 39]Allan Graveson, senior national secretary at the maritime union Nautilus International, explained that some of his members can be at sea for four to six months at a time and so a ship can be a person’s home as well as a place of work. The union advocates the control of alcohol, rather than a complete ban, on board as the most sensible approach. Graveson says that zero-alcohol policies can cause problems when there is the opportunity to drink onshore and can actually prompt abuse. Nevertheless, he reported that shipping companies are imposing zero alcohol policies without any consultation with the union. There has also been a tendency to introduce random rather than targeted testing in the shipping industry — for drugs as well as alcohol.
In addition to union concerns about the cost, Graveson reports that there have been some (admittedly rare) instances of random testing while members have been at home.
“It is extremely costly and companies are incurring unnecessary costs on testing,” he told LRD. “It is important that while people are at home on leave, they have the right to a private life.”