BLACK AND ETHNIC ADVISORY MEETS

Transport Scotland took the first legal step in re-tendering the £1 billion contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services (CHFS) last month, effectively announcing the start of a competition between the private sector and CalMac for these lifeline public services. CalMac workers and passengers learnt that the next operator, from October 2016 would be in position for up to eight years, although the winning bidder would not be announced until after the Scottish Parliamentary elections [see table], raising the possibility that CalMac will be privatised by the SNP. SNP Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay made clear in a press release that he supports this unnecessary, expensive and unpopular re- tender of Scottish ferry services. “We are looking to award a contract that runs for a period up to eight years. “This will make it more attractive to potential bidders by giving the operator more opportunity to deliver service improvements and efficiencies over the course of the contract,” he said. RMT and other CalMac unions are familiar with this government’s cynical manipulation of Scottish ferries policy, going back to the postponement of the original tender in autumn 2012, when the Scottish government guaranteed meaningful dialogue with the trade unions over employment and pension protections before the tendering process re-started in 2015. The government consistently stalled in starting these talks, so much so that the first meeting only took place in December 2014, leaving precious little time for vital discussions over the employment and pension protections in the next CHFS contract. This government also privatised Northern Isles ferry services in May 2012, handing Serco a contract that effectively invited the successful private bidder to attack members’ pensions. Only RMT’s threat of industrial action made Serco back off. The Invitation to Tender for the Clyde and Hebrides contract will be published in June. The Pensions Working Group met April 7 and the trade unions are meeting CalMac at the behest of RMT to discuss what protections for pensions and employment the current operator will put in the contract, should their bid be successful. RMT must receive a guarantee of no less favourable conditions in the non-negotiable specifications for the next CHFS contract which will be published as part of the ITT. If not, RMT members in CalMac will again be asked if they are prepared to take strike action to protect their jobs, pensions, pay and terms and conditions. The union has exhausted all avenues in the face of the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland’s dodging of discussions. Derek Mackay was appointed in November but only had an introductory meeting with transport unions in March. That meeting was on Transport in general and the Minister has ignored RMT’s request for a one to one meeting on the CHFS tender. In the coming months there will be no hiding place for the Scottish government if it does not take steps to ensure that bidders for the next CHFS contract are prevented from cutting jobs and pensions in order to fund a cut price bid to run these services and receive over £1 billion in public subsidy and investment, not to mention similar revenue levels from passenger and freight fares. And what about the voice of local communities and their elected representatives in all this clamour from Transport Scotland to attract private bidders for CalMac? The SNP tell us that the consultation carried out in 2011 on their Draft Ferries Plan is enough to inform the next CHFS contract and there will be no vote on it in Holyrood. But what were people asked in 2011? Rather than the straightforward question of whether they supported privately run ferry services, the Scottish government asked about allowing ‘operators the flexibility to innovate and reduce costs where possible’. Former UK cabinet minister Brian Wilson has described the Scottish government’s plans for Clyde and Hebrides ferries as ‘a timetable for privatisation’. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that whilst the SNP claim public support for this ‘greater flexibility’, CalMac employees know full well that their jobs, pensions, pay and terms and conditions are at risk from this skewing of the procurement process in favour of private bidders. “Ultimately if the SNP cannot maintain existing protections in the ITT for CalMac members’ jobs and pensions then RMT members would be fully justified in contemplating industrial action in response to this cynical betrayal of public sector workers and the remote communities they serve,” he said. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2015 :: RMTnews 19 Activity Date Submission of Contract Notice 17 February 2015 Invitation to Tender June 2015 Conclusion of first negotiations and call for further tenders September 2015 If required , conclusion of second negotiations and call for Variable, according to further tenders requirements. NB may bring forward subsequent dates. Invitation for Final tender By December 2015 Submission of final tenders By end of January 2016 Anticipated award of the contract End of May 2016 Proposed start of Public Service Operations 1 October 2016