PENSION VICTORY AT NORTHLINK FERRIES

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2012 :: RMTnews 17 RMT has settled a dispute with Serco Northlink Ferries in Scotland, ensuring that pensions, jobs and working conditions are protected and a ballot for industrial action was cancelled. The settlement follows a meeting that was held last week between RMT and Serco Northlink Ferries Managing Director Stuart Garrett. As a result, the written assurances regarding pensions, place of work, staffing levels and other outstanding issues the union was seeking have now been received. The company recognises, and has also clearly stated, that any future changes to existing terms and conditions or staffing levels must and will be subject to negotiation and agreement within the existing machinery. RMT general secretary Bob Crow congratulated members at Northlink on their steadfast resolve and solidarity during the dispute which successfully protected jobs and existing agreements. “The successful conclusion of the dispute has demonstrated to all what can be achieved when workers are prepared to stand up and fight against threats and attacks from the employer. “Should any agreement not be adhered to in the future, RMT will have no hesitation in fighting industrially and legally to protect our members’ position and that principal applies right across the board,” he said. CAL MAC RMT will be meeting Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown this month in crucial talks aimed at solving a deepening crisis over proposals to set up key Scottish ferries routes for privatisation. The confirmation of top level talks comes after RMT announced a ballot for strike action on Caledonian MacBrayne after the total failure to give assurances to staff in advance of the planned sell-off of key routes. Transport Scotland has identified four CalMac routes for privatisation: Ardrossan – Brodick, Wemyss Bay – Rothesay, Oban – Craignure and Largs – Cumbrae. RMT warned last year that consultation on “unbundling” Scottish ferry services masked Scottish government plans to privatise Cal Mac and hive off profitable, or subsidy-rich ferry routes to privateers such as Stagecoach’s Brian Souter, a major Scottish National Party donor, allowing “cherry-picking” of Scotland’s lifeline ferry services. This move fits with the EU drive to break up national transport services and hand them over to the private sector. The union has set out clear demands to Cal Mac over the past two months that members’ existing pension provisions must be protected and that the current practice of one joint bargaining machinery should continue, regardless of whether the contract is unbundled or not. RMT national secretary Steve Todd said that RMT welcomed the fact that the minister had agreed to an early meeting with the union straight after the summer break aimed at resolving a deepening crisis on these key Scottish ferries routes. “Our team will be aiming to assurances on pensions and bargaining machinery are simple and straightforward and no different to similar assurances we have negotiated on Northern Isles routes. “Preparations for the ballot of CalMac staff continue and we are sure that no one is in any doubt that RMT will take whatever action is necessary to protect our members jobs, pensions, working conditions and negotiating rights on the Scottish ferries routes whatever threats are thrown at us,” he said. AGREEMENT: (left to right) RMT port committee member Andy Gordon, Bob Crow, Serco NorthLink Ferries MD Stuart Garrett, RMT national secretary Steve Todd PENSION VICTORY AT NORTHLINK FERRIES RMT wins assurances on pensions at Northlink ferries but battle continues at Caledonian MacBrayne