CalMac strike action

[philjo]

I see that CalMac ferries have strike action planned later this week - a heads up in case anyone is planning to use them, particularly on Friday 26 June. Hopefully all is sorted before I head north in August.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-33224726

The industrial action will be taken on CalMac's Clyde and Hebrides network

RMT members among the workforce of ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne are to go ahead with industrial action after talks failed.

The employees will refuse to work overtime on the ferry operator's Clyde and Hebrides services on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Friday, the workers plan to hold a 24-hour strike in the dispute over job security, conditions and pensions.

CalMac has said the strike would likely cause severe disruption.

The company operates almost every ferry route on the west coast of Scotland.

They include services to and from the Western Isles and the Inner Hebrides.
What has triggered the dispute?

CalMac's contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services comes to an end next year.

The Scottish government has put the contract out to tender. It says this has to happen in line with European rules.

The RMT union has concerns that, regardless of who wins, the new contract will see changes in employees' current terms and conditions.

A reduction in staff numbers and pensions are a key areas of concern.

The RMT has asked that the government guarantee in the new contract that compulsory redundancies do not happen and existing terms and conditions are continued.

Industrial action marks a ramping up in the union's call for this to happen.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the talks had not made "significant progress".

He said: "It is extraordinary that rather than standing up for Scotland's lifeline ferry services those who hold political power have resorted to ludicrous arguments about what does and doesn't represent privatisation.

"That is a kick in the teeth for loyal and hard working staff who have given long hard years of service at CalMac."

He added: "RMT wants cast iron assurances and we want them now and we are committed to engaging in meaningful talks around that agenda as we kick off the first phase of industrial action."

CalMac has posted information on its website about refunds to its customers if the strike goes ahead.

Its managing director, Martin Dorchester, urged union representatives to re-enter talks as soon as possible and said CalMac aimed to do "everything possible to avert any industrial action which will impact our ability to maintain the lifeline services we provide."

He added: "Failure to keep these discussions alive will be a disappointment, not just to those who will be losing pay this week, but to potentially thousands of travellers of who will be disrupted. The threat of strike action also has major potential to damage the economies of the communities we are part of.

"We are currently working on alternative timetables and contingency plans and will be doing all we can to ensure that disruption to these lifeline service are kept to a minimum.

"However, the travelling public needs to be aware that disruption is inevitable and that they should consider careful whether their trip is essential before travelling later this week."

The Scottish government called on CalMac and the unions to continue with talks in an effort to reach an agreement that avoids strike action.

A spokesman said: "In the interim, officials at CalMac and Transport Scotland have made contact with bus, rail and aviation operators to see what additional services can be provided during this week's industrial action and we stand ready to support the islands during this challenging time."

 

[childwallblues]

I was in Scotland on Tuesday and travelled on Western Ferries from McInroys Point (Gourock) to Hunters Quay (Dunoon). This is a private ferry which makes a profit and runs four vessels all built in the UK since 2001. The people of Dunoon are lucky that CalMac do not own this company.

 

[Butts]

I made three return journeys on Calmac last week .....

Oban - Mull

Mull - Iona

Weymss Bay - Rothesay

On the Oban-Mull run I had an excellent value Breakfast....

6 Hot Items(Egg, Bacon ,Sausage, Black Pudding, Haggis and Beans.)
2 Toast
Coffee

All for £6.49

Also most impressed that you could smoke on the open decks !!!

 

[Blindtraveler]

If Serco win the Western Isles routes the same price hikes onboard and staff issues that have plagued the Northlink opperation will happen again. No thanks!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In what year did the EC directive on the tendering of ferry services first come into effect?

I see a comparison here with the RMT position on future but as yet unknown operators of the CalMac ferry services and the future and as yet unknown successful franchisee of the next Northern rail franchise. On the latter matter, the legal advisors to RMT advised the union not to carry on with a proposed threatened industrial action as the union cannot threaten to act against a body that is currently not in existence.

 

[Blindtraveler]

RMT celebrating today as Calmac left in charge for the next 8 years

sercos bid apparently was non compliant in some ways

 

[sprinterguy]

RMT celebrating today as Calmac left in charge for the next 8 years

sercos bid apparently was non compliant in some ways

Yes, I saw this reported and breathed a sigh of relief. The right decision has been made (IMO).

CalMac wins ferry services contract
Keith MacKenzie 19 May 2016
http://www.whfp.com/2016/05/19/calmac-wins-ferry-services-contract/

Caledonian MacBrayne has won the contract to continue operating west coast ferry services.

Publicly-owned CalMac Ferries Limited was announced as the preferred tenderer for the next contract to operate the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today (Thursday).

CalMac had been bidding against private service giant Serco to win the contract.

Serco said today that their bid had been deemed “non-compliant” by Transport Scotland.

CalMac’s bid makes almost 350 commitments to improve the service – including a £6 million investment in vessel and port improvements and the introduction of smart and integrated ticketing systems on key routes.

The company aim to increase passenger and vehicle traffic by 10 per cent and commercial traffic by 12 per cent over the course of the contract.

CalMac has also pledged to create more apprenticeships and to introduce a Communities Board to better involve local areas in decisions

The CalMac pension scheme and a policy of no compulsory redundancies will remain in place.

The tender price for the next contract is around £900 million for eight years from the 1st October 2016.

(Story continues)

 

[Blindtraveler]

The SNP govd are going to have much more trouble awarding major contracts to Serco etc this parliament as the whole process will be scrutinised and watched very carefuly by many, not least by those in the remote areas served by the likes of Northlink whos contract will be next to be rebid