WORKING CARERS NEED THE UNION

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2020 :: RMTnews 19 CalMac staff have helped raise £2,500 to support new crew members joining the Oban lifeboat. The west coast ferry and harbour operator pledged to donate £2 to the RNLI for every survey form returned during a recent exercise to gather feedback from staff on what they thought about the company and to provide ideas on how to improve the business. CalMac’s Director of Operations Robert Morrison said that he was delighted that so many staff took the time to fill in their forms. “Not only did we get valuable information about how we can work better as an organisation, but we are able to help out an organisation that does so much to keep west coast waters safe,” he said. Last year CalMac took part in 14 rescue operations with the RNLI and are a valued partner to the emergency services in any incident they are able to assist with. ‘We train regularly for emergency responses with the Oban crews so know them well and with many of our own staff RNLI volunteers it was a perfect fit when we were looking for an organisation to support. It was also a great incentive for staff to contribute their thoughts to help us improve our services,” said Robert. Oban Lifeboat Station all- weather Trent class lifeboat - Mora Edith MacDonald – is capable of 25 knots and has a range of 250 nautical miles. Last year crew responded to 80 emergency call outs. The donation will be used to train two new crew members and supply them with the equipment they need to become fully operational. Oban RNLI’s Iain Fulton said that the crew were extremely grateful to all the CalMac staff who took the time to fill in a survey and raise this fantastic sum to support our work. “Last year was one of our busiest ever and we are right up there with the busiest stations in the whole of the UK, so they can be sure the money will be put to good use,’ he said. CalMac operates a fleet of 33 vessels across a network of 49 routes serving island and remote mainland communities. It is the UK’s largest ferry operator last year carrying more than 5.6 million passengers and around 1.4 million vehicles. I’m Sue Gazzard and I have been working as a conductor guard for just over eight years. During that time a lot has changed for me. My mother passed away and my father needed a lot of support (he had never even used the washing machine!). Then I noticed a change in him. He became more vague and easily confused. It culminated in a car crash, a stroke and a diagnosis of dementia. Dementia is a deterioration of your brain, affecting memory, concentration and ability to do everyday tasks. It affects the way you think, speak, feel and behave. I’ve basically lost my dad. He forgets who I am and can’t really remember my children. He is unable to live independently. In effect, I became his parent. I had to make all the decisions for him. At work, it was hard to concentrate. I never knew if dad was OK or if the carers had arrived to dress and feed him. Several times he collapsed in the street. The emergency services would contact me, but there are only so many times you can ask to go home early when you have to be on a train for it to run. I ended up finishing duties knowing he was at risk, feeling I had no choice. I got advice and support from RMT reps. I had help when I needed time off and I met people who shared their experiences and made me feel like I wasn’t alone. The union encouraged the company to adopt a carers’ policy: the first steps to offering help to those who need it. I have a statutory carer’s assessment but due to government cuts there’s no real help available. I got that support from my brothers and sisters in the union. I would like to see stronger support for working carers. More of us will face the challenge of elderly parents whilst still being in work. The union should engage with companies to ensure robust, fair policies. My dad now lives in a nursing home. He’s happy, I think. I had to sell his house and do some complicated financial planning, but his future is as secure as I can make it. Dementia has been like a bereavement with the person still alive. WORKING CARERS NEED THE UNION! The union can help carers for a disabled dependant and the problems that work can cause CALMAC STAFF RAISE MONEY FOR RNLI MV Coruisk ferry boat from Caledonian MacBrayne docked in the Oban port, Argyll and Bute, Scotland