RMT Shelves CalMac and Argyll Ferries Strikes

The UK transport union RMT has suspended Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) and Argyll Ferries strike action set for Friday, July 10, after the Scottish Government delayed the tendering process for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract until July 31.

In the letter to the union members, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash says that the tendering process has been delayed to allow further negotiation on the key issues of jobs, staffing, conditions and pensions.

”Following further discussions this afternoon, and the Scottish Government agreeing to delay the publication of the Draft Invitation to Tender until 31st July 2015, RMT has agreed to suspend the current industrial action planned for Friday 10th July affecting CHFS and Argyll ferries services,” Cash said in the letter sent to union members yesterday.

”This suspension is to allow detailed discussions with all parties regarding the modest demands made by RMT around no compulsory redundancies, staffing levels, protection of terms & conditions and pensions. A timetable has been agreed for these discussions which must be concluded by 24th July 2015. All members are instructed to work normally on Friday, 10th July, 2015.”

RMT is trying to negotiate no compulsory redundancies and no changes to staffing levels unless previously agreed with unions.

RMT is also asking for all changes to workers’ conditions of service to be first discussed with, and agreed upon by unions, as well as a guarantee that all members will remain in the current pension scheme and that no changes will be made to the scheme without agreement being reached with unions.