Union warns of potential industrial action over 'live on board' dispute
The Steam Packet Company says it believed it had been on the brink of agreement with the trade union Nautilus over new conditions for its crew.
But the ferry operators claims the union backed away from negotiations, ahead of announcing it's to ballot its members over possible industrial action.
The Steam Packet wants crew members to live aboard its vessels from 1 January, something officers have rejected.
Managing Director Brian Thomson felt an end to the dispute had been in sight:
Farmers in race against time after freight backlog in Heysham
'Immigration is needed' for economic growth on Island
Census 'still one of the most valuable statistical tools' for government
Teenager to take on gruelling 24-hour challenge in friend's memory