Steve Todd, national secretary for the RMT, who was part of the negotiating team facing Cal Mac said the union has obtained “written assurances” from the transport minister over RMT members terms, conditions and job security under the forthcoming ferry network contract.
One hugely significant point for ships’ crews and shore staff is the promise that the successful bidder, whether Serco or Cal Mac, will have to take on the Cal Mac pension scheme. This will be written into the contract.
Mr Todd said: “We are quite pleased. This is the best possible deal we could have achieved for our members.
Lewis-
Mr Lonie, who works on the Harris and North Uist ferry, MV Hebrides, said: “We had very, very, positive talks and came to an agreement on most issues.”
He was pleased over the deal to safeguard jobs, terms and conditions and pensions.
A
joint statement from the seafarers union, RMT, and the TSSA which represents 100
ticket office staff said they “ reached the best possible deal achievable, for our
members which will protect the current terms and conditions.
“In doing so we have also received the written assurances from the transport minister, that there will be a requirement by any successful bidder to provide the current Cal Mac pension scheme.
“The resolution of this dispute secures the future employment of our members and
indeed the services they provide to the island communities."
RMT has made it clear
that it will continue to fight for the retention of the ferry services within the
public sector.
General Secretary Mick Cash said: "Thanks to the hard work of our negotiators
we have reached a clear agreement on the key issues which enables us to settle this
dispute.
"I want to pay tribute to the solidarity and determination of our members
which has enabled us to secure this agreement and I also want to thank the local
communities who have supported us in this fight.
"Although the dispute is over the
fight to retain the lifeline ferry services in the public sector continues."
RMT union demands to be written into ferry contract
22 July 2015