Launch of the Findlay Report into Public Sector Scottish Ferry Services

Circular No: NP/054/16

 

TO ALL BRANCHES & REGIONAL COUNCILS.

 

Our Ref: S2/1/4

 

8^th February 2016

 

Dear Colleague,

 

Launch of the Findlay Report into Public Sector Scottish Ferry Services – Committee Room 2, Scottish Parliament, 1-3pm Tuesday 1^st March 2016

 

Further to circular No.230/15 of 19^th November 2015, the RMT-commissioned report by Jeanette Findlay of Glasgow University into publicly owned and operated lifeline ferry services in Scotland will be officially launched in Holyrood on 1^st March.

 

Speakers from the Scottish Government, Opposition and the RMT Parliamentary Group have been invited, and from STUC and the other CalMac unions. The event will be chaired by the Convenor of the RMT Scottish Parliamentary Group, Elaine Smith MSP. 

 

It would be appreciated if Branches could send the names of members planning to attend to Regional Organiser Gordon Martin on Gordon.Martin@rmt.org.uk 07884 655217 (Mob) or at the RMT Glasgow Office on 0141 332 1117 in order to let Scottish Parliament security know who is coming from RMT on the day. The room holds 100 and RMT members and activists are encouraged to attend, with costs incurred a legitimate form of Branch expenditure.

 

This event will raise the profile of publicly owned and operated lifeline ferry services, which are again under threat of privatisation as Serco bids against CalMac for the £1 billion 2016-24 contract for Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS). The Scottish Government still intend to announce the winning bid at the end of May, after Scottish Parliament elections.

 

I would be grateful if you could bring the content of this circular to the attention of all members in your Branch.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary