Local news from Uist
Commenting on the announcement of industrial action by RMT union members working for CalMac, scheduled for next week, a CalMac spokesman said: “We are aware of the latest announcement from the RMT and are very conscious of the reliance placed on our ferry services by the communities we serve and visitors to the area.
“We have scheduled discussions with our trade unions to take place on Thursday this week at which we will discuss their concerns”
CalMac union RMT has confirmed a schedule of industrial action set to star next week.
The union warned this weekend that the Clyde and Hebrides service is being set up for takeover by the profiteering private company Serco, which, along with Caledonian MacBrayne, is in the running to provide this essential lifeline service to the west coast islands.
RMT members have voted by well over 90% for action in a ballot that covers both strikes and action short of strikes. The action confirmed today is as follows:
Members will be instructed to take strike action as follows:-
• If the ship is in port then my members will be instructed not to ‘turn to’ (book on) for any duty that commences between 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours on Friday 26th June 2015.
This action is intended to be discontinuous.
Furthermore members will be instructed to take discontinuous industrial action in the form of an overtime and call back ban between:-
• 00:01 hours on Wednesday 24th June and 23:59 hours on Thursday 25th June 2015.
RMT continues to demand the assurances that staff are rightly demanding in their fight for workplace justice while the billion pound contracting process is kicked around behind closed doors.
General Secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT members on CalMac rightly feel that they are caught in the crossfire of an unnecessary and damaging tendering battle that leaves jobs, conditions and pensions hanging by a thread. That is simply intolerable.
“As a result of the failure to give staff the most basic assurances we are now using the massive mandate secured in the ballot and confirming a programme of industrial action.
“RMT wants cast iron assurances and we want them now and we are prepared to engage in meaningful talks around that agenda as we prepare for the first phase of industrial action.”
David Stewart MSP
Shadow Transport Minister, David Stewart MSP this morning quizzed the Scottish Government on how it plans to respond to the concerns of the CalMac workforce, who recently balloted for strike action.
Last week members of the RMT Union voted overwhelmingly for both strike action and action short of a strike in a ballot over jobs, pensions and working conditions.
The vote conducted by the union revealed over 92% voted for strike action and 98% for action short of a strike on a 60% turnout. 55% of the total number eligible to vote voted yes for strike action and 58% of total eligible voted yes for action short of a strike.
Mr Stewart expressed his concern to the Minister saying: “90% of those who voted backed calls for industrial action and I have genuine and heartfelt sympathy for the workers involved, the Scottish Government owe it to these workers to resolve this dispute.”
He continued: “Does the Scottish Government share the view of the RMT general secretary Mick Cash who said: ‘RMT members on CalMac rightly feel that they are caught in the crossfire of an unnecessary and damaging tendering battle that leaves jobs, conditions and pensions hanging by a thread.’? Surely the Scottish Government has learnt from the fiasco of the Northern Isles ferry routes, where Serco cut crossings and axed jobs.”
Speaking after the exchange Mr Stewart said: “The results of the RMT strike action ballot was overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action, something everyone involved would like to see adverted if possible. This is a crucial issue and the Scottish Government can not stand on the side-lines.
“The Scottish Government need to respond clearly and quickly to address this deteriorating situation to not only secure jobs, condition, pay and pensions for the Cal Mac workforce, but also to address the concerns of many islanders rightly worried about the continuity of lifeline ferry services for our islands and also the concerns being expressed by the business community who rely on these vital ferry services.”