The Shorter Week

Veda signed the cold-store contract at her kitchen table. At the shed office, she had written selling Morrow in letters too small to read comfortably.

The new signature was normal-sized.

Sixteen paid hours a week. Two fixed days, with the agreed flexibility written down rather than promised over the telephone. A probation period, a supervisor whose name she had already put in her contacts, and no clause requiring her to stop being herself before she came through the door.

She put the contract in its folder and rang the relief crew member. They confirmed the next month’s fishing days and what would happen if weather cancelled one. The rate stayed the rate. She could not make her smaller operation viable by passing all its uncertainty down to the person on deck.

There was a second relief contact for cover, with the same checks and vessel familiarisation required before work. If…