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CalMac industrial action to commence next week

June 17, 2015

ferry

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.”

Filed Under: News, Transport Tagged With: CalMac, Ferries, RMT, Serco, Strike

Stewart raises CalMac strike action with Transport Minister

June 16, 2015

David Stewart MSP

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.”

Filed Under: News, Transport Tagged With: CalMac, David Stewart MSP, Ferries, RMT, Serco, Strike

UNISON calls off strike action planned for next week

October 15, 2014

unisonlogo

Public-sector trade union, UNISON, has called off a day of strike action planned for 21st October 2014 while it consults local government members on a last-minute offer from the Scottish Employer (COSLA).

The employers have put forward proposals which concentrate on three areas of the dispute: their future participation in the agreed bargaining machinery; consolidation of the Living Wage; and the deletion of spinal column pay-points below the level of the Living Wage.

With the Living Wage being hugely significant for low paid workers – and the consolidation affecting at least 24 of the 32 Scottish local authorities – UNISON will consult its members on whether this offer is sufficient to halt industrial action in the future.

On the offer from the employers, Alison MacCorquodale, local branch secretary said: “The UNISON members I have spoken to feel that this is yet another insulting offer. Whilst consolidation of the Living Wage will benefit our low paid workers, this last-ditch attempt to appease us does not go far enough. We keep hearing that the economy is in recovery, but where is the money going?”

“Councils are choosing to bank money rather than reward the very people who are keeping public services going. All local government workers in Scotland deserve a pay rise – that’s what a real recovery looks like.”

UNISON members had voted to undertake a programme of industrial action, calling for:

  • Fair pay – specifically, an extra £1 per hour for all workers in local government. In 2013, the employers imposed a below-inflation award of 1%.
  • An end to low pay through consolidation of the Living Wage and the deletion of spinal column pay-points below the level of the Living Wage.
  • The employer to return to the negotiating table to talk about the biggest issues facing local government, including future pay awards. By imposing 1% in both 2013 and 2014 – and refusing to negotiate with the trade unions – the employers were going against long-standing, mutually agreed protocols.

UNISON branch organiser Flora Somerville said: “The employers should not underestimate the anger amongst local government workers at the way they have been treated. They have seen a 14% reduction in their pay since 2007, nearly 40,000 jobs have been lost across Scotland and the cost of living continues to soar. Our members are being pushed to the edge by a government that doesn’t care what happens to our public services or the workforce that provides them.”

The ballot will open on Monday 20th October and close on Monday 3rd November 2014. The Western Isles Local Government Branch will consider their stance on the revised offer at a meeting on 21st October and will make a recommendation to their members immediately thereafter.

Filed Under: Local Government, News Tagged With: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Living Wage, Strike, Unison

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