FEARS are growing that there could be more industrial action on CalMac ferries as union leaders reported little progress in negotiations.
Any move towards further strike action would be an enormous blow to tourist businesses in the islands and up the west coast, at their busiest time of the year. They were hit hard by three days of walk-outs last month which saw the publicly-owned ferry operator axe two-thirds of its services.
Another 24-hour strike by RMT union members scheduled for earlier this month was called off after the Scottish Government agreed to delay the tendering of the contract for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry routes to allow time for more talks with the union on jobs, staffing, conditions and pension.
CalMac and private sector Serco are the only companies bidding for the contract and the unions fear their members will pay the price, particularly if the latter wins, so are looking for guarantees now.
But the RMT, which is the main union representing ferry crews, said that talks scheduled for today and tomorrow were a last ditch attempt at a breakthrough before it considers putting the suspended industrial action back into effect.
In a circular to CalMac members, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "Members will be aware that we are still in dispute with Cal-Mac and Argyll Ferries (a CalMac sister company which operates the Gourock/Dunoon route) over various assurances which were being sought prior to the tendering exercise which you and your union still oppose.
"We agreed to suspend industrial action planned for last week to allow further discussions in the hope of gaining those assurances.
"I can report that discussions have taken place last week with both the Scottish Government and CalMac.
"It is fair to say that the talks so far have been difficult and we are concerned that the emphasis seems to be on what can’t and won’t be done rather that what can be done to solve this dispute particularly from CalMac."
He described this as "bitterly disappointing " as the industrial action had been suspended in good faith to allow talks to take place.
"The RMT has made every effort to secure a series of very basic assurances over no compulsory redundancies, staffing levels, conditions of service and pensions but to no avail," he added.
"I can report that further talks are scheduled to take place on Wednesday and Thursday. However, unless there is more movement from the company in these talks, then further industrial action cannot be ruled out."
But CalMac's Managing Director Martin Dorchester said: “We are very disappointed that the trade unions have decide to take this stance publicly while talks are ongoing. It is hardly in the spirit of working towards a mutually acceptable conclusion that will avoid further damaging action.
“To be crystal clear CalMac Ferries has not sought to change any existing terms and conditions. Our colleagues have excellent terms and conditions and strong collective bargaining agreements that support them.
“The best way of protecting this is to work with us to win the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract. I would urge all parties to keep talking to resolve our differences so we can work together towards this common goal.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "It is disappointing the RMT union feels the need to consider further strike action with two days of discussions still to take place.
"Ministers entered these talks in good faith and will continue with that constructive approach. The Minister for Transport will chair a fourth day of discussions with CalMac and the unions on Wednesday, with the aim of reaching a resolution that avoids further strike action on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services that would impact the communities that they serve."
A second union, the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA) which represents many of CalMac's shore and office staff, had voted for strike action, but also put its action on hold pending the outcome of the present talks.
The TSSA wants the Scottish Government to scrap its tendering of CalMac routes, but ministers insist the process is necessary to conform with European regulations on competition and subsidy.
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