RMT blames political interference as CalMac pay talks collapse

RMT blames political interference as CalMac pay talks collapse

6 November 2020

RMT Press Office:

RMT blames political interference as CalMac pay talks collapse and union prepares to ballot

CalMac union RMT announced today that it is preparing for an industrial action ballot after crucial pay talks collapsed with the union pointing the finger at direct interference from the Scottish Government which scuppered potential progress towards a settlement.

Following two previous rounds of pay negotiations with Calmac, Scotland’s biggest ferry union RMT are disappointed that this morning’s Avoidance of Disputes meeting with the Calmac Managing Director and our sister trade unions has once again ended with a failure from the company to accept that the pay offer in effect amounts to a pay cut for lifeline ferry crews and other workers crucial to providing a lifeline to Scotland’s west coast islands.

Our members have worked throughout the COVID -19 pandemic risking their own health and the health and well-being of their loved ones and to now be offered a derisory pay award is a serious kick in the teeth.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;

“Our negotiators have tried over a series of meetings to get a cost of living award for essential lifeline ferry workers and despite their best efforts again today the CalMac Managing Director has given the same response as his management colleagues have issued from the first meeting on 7th October.

"It’s become increasingly apparent that Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government are putting pressure on CalMac to hold a line which will see our members financially disadvantaged. This is not acceptable to RMT and we will be balloting our members to secure financial fairness for members and their families in these uncertain times.”


ENDS

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Tagged with: CalMac, Caledonian MacBrayne, SNP, Covid-19, Ferries, Scotland,