Calmac strike moves closer as union talks stall

CalMac workers are considering strike action - pictured the jetty at Coll. Picture: Robert Perry

• Calmac plans to abolish weekend working premium, shift allowances, night working payments and employee’s annual holiday bonus

• Ferry operator also planning to increase working week

Talks between management and staff aimed at avoiding a dispute at Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) broke down on Tuesday.

Management have announced plans to scrap existing terms and conditions for around 70 onshore worker, leading to many – the majority women living in rural communities – seeing their salary cut by a quarter.

Manuel Cortes, leader of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) union, said: “It beggars belief that Martin Dorchester (company MD) should not even bother to attend the talks when he is planning wage cuts of as much as £6,000 a year for our members.

“I am now inviting him to meet me face to face at our Glasgow annual conference in three weeks time in an effort to resolve this dispute peacefully.

“If he continues his hardline stand, we will be looking to enforce our executive decision on calling a strike ballot. He is treating his hard working staff with contempt.”

Mr Cortes said management, at the latest round of negotiations, refused to withdraw their plans to cut antisocial hours payments. He added that many would also see an increase in the working week from 38 to 40 hours.

The union’s Scottish officer Tom Kennedy will now seek urgent talks with Transport Secretary Keith Brown asking him to intervene with the state owned ferry company.

The union has already won the backing of the Scottish TUC and Scottish Labour Party in the dispute which affects 90 white collar staff at the company.

Mr Kennedy added: “The government cannot sit idly by while a company tries to impose such huge cuts in living standards on workers in some of our most remote communities.”

Company response

A CalMac spokesman said: “Meaningful talks were held today between management and unions.

“The company have put forward a number of proposals which the unions have confirmed today are unacceptable to them.

“The unions have agreed to consult with their members and come back with specific counter proposals by May 8, which the company has agreed to consider as part of ongoing negotiations. Both parties will meet again in due course to progress discussions.”

State-owned CalMac has already claimed its position is being forced by “challenging economic times”.

Their proposal would abolish the weekend working premium and scrap shift allowances, night working payments and the annual holiday bonus.

The company, in a statement, said: “The economy is going through a challenging time and CalMac is not immune from this.

“We are working with colleagues and unions to ensure we comply with the working time directive and best practice to give the small number of staff affected a fair remuneration and work life balance.

“We understand the impact this may have and have made generous proposals to cushion this wherever possible and to deliver a sensible and affordable resolution.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “While this is a matter between the employer and the unions, we would urge both parties to seek an early resolution to avoid any impact on passenger services.”