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Talks between CalMac, RMT and TSSA postponed | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Caledonian MacBrayne and two unions have postponed a meeting that was due to be held in an effort to resolve a dispute over jobs and pensions. | |
CalMac said it was due to unforeseen circumstances and a new date for the discussions was being sought. | |
Two thirds of state-owned CalMac's ferry services were cancelled on Friday during a 24-hour strike by RMT members. | Two thirds of state-owned CalMac's ferry services were cancelled on Friday during a 24-hour strike by RMT members. |
The dispute centres on concerns that Clyde and Hebrides ferry routes could be taken over by private firm Serco. | The dispute centres on concerns that Clyde and Hebrides ferry routes could be taken over by private firm Serco. |
The RMT and Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), who will ballot its members on strike action this week, want the Scottish government's new contract to guarantee job security and pensions. | |
Friday's strike followed two days of RMT members, who make up about half of CalMac's 1,400 employees, working to rule. | |
Ferry services returned to normal over the weekend. | Ferry services returned to normal over the weekend. |
'No other option' | 'No other option' |
In a statement CalMac said: "Further discussions had been scheduled to take place today between representatives of the company and representatives of the RMT and TSSA unions with a view to resolving the issues currently under dispute. | |
"Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, it has been necessary to postpone these discussions and we are currently looking to organise a new date and time to allow them to take place. | |
"Further updates will be issued when appropriate." | |
The RMT said it hoped the discussions could be held as soon as possible. | |
Earlier Gordon Martin, the RMT's regional organiser, told BBC Radio Scotland that going ahead with last week's industrial action had been a difficult decision for staff. | |
He said: "We were not looking to cause disruption but unfortunately due to management intransigence we had no other option. | He said: "We were not looking to cause disruption but unfortunately due to management intransigence we had no other option. |
"Many of our members are islanders themselves so they know the disruption it was going to cause to their friends, family and communities. They didn't enter into it lightly. | "Many of our members are islanders themselves so they know the disruption it was going to cause to their friends, family and communities. They didn't enter into it lightly. |
"I hope and expect following Friday's disruption people will start listening now." | "I hope and expect following Friday's disruption people will start listening now." |
The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) represents 100 ticket office staff and managers at the ferry operator. | |
Manuel Cortes, of the TSSA, said there may need to be "short term pain for a long term gain" before the dispute was resolved. | Manuel Cortes, of the TSSA, said there may need to be "short term pain for a long term gain" before the dispute was resolved. |
What has triggered the dispute? | What has triggered the dispute? |
CalMac's contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services comes to an end next year. | 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, in line with European rules. | The Scottish government has put the contract out to tender, 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. | 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 key areas of concern. | A reduction in staff numbers and pensions are 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. | 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. |
Read more..... | Read more..... |