Cal Mac ferry pay talks break down
15 September 2016
Pay talks between Cal Mac and seafarers' union, RMT have broken down.
Both sides are now in a formal dispute after two days of negotiations failed to reach agreement.
The union said the ferry operator wants to stop basing wage offers on the retail price index, the traditional benchmark used in pay negotiations.
Cal Mac used the lower consumer price index for its successful bid against Serco for the west coast routes.
In addition, Cal Mac is axing an 1.5% bonus, paid in the years the company makes a profit, said the union.
However, senior managers and directors will continue to receive a bonus, according to the RMT, calling it "divisive and unjust."
The shipping firm offered 1.8% each year for the next two years.
The RMT said this is falls below forecasted inflation meaning pay "will fall behind the cost of living."
Cal Mac said it put forward an above public sector average pay deal.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It's clear to everyone that RMT members played
a huge role in the campaign that led to Cal Mac beating off the attempt to wrestle
the life-
"These pay and bonus proposals from management are a kick in the teeth for those loyal and dedicated RMT CalMac members and will be resisted by all means necessary.
“All four CalMac Trade Unions are in dispute with the company and we will now be deciding the next moves as we move the campaign for pay justice forward."
RMT national secretary Steve Todd said: “CalMac staff are angry and disappointed at pay proposals that would slash their standards of living in years to come as well as ripping away the bonus entitlement that has been built up over many years.
"That is no way to reward staff who are the lifeblood of the CalMac operation and the unions are demanding that the company come forward with a fair and just offer.”
CalMac Ferries managing director, Martin Dorchester said: "We are very disappointed that the RMT have taken this decision after we worked so hard together to win the new eight year contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract.
"The offer on the table of 1.8% is nearly double recent average public sector pay increases.
"This is an extremely generous pay offer in the current climate of tight public sector budget restraint."
"Any moves to disrupt services would be a huge let down for all the people who rely on our services and who backed CalMac staff so vocally and enthusiastically during the tendering process.
"'I would urge trade union members to think carefully about the damage any potential industrial action will have on the communities they serve and are part of.
"This is a road no one wants to go down just as we are about to start rolling out new innovations that will improve services for all over the long term."
He urged the RMT to continue to negotiate to reach an agreement.