TSSA to ballot members at CalMac on strike action

CalMac plans to operate 10 of its 26 routes on Friday

A second union representing workers at ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is preparing to ballot its members on taking strike action.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association represents 100 ticket office staff and managers at CalMac.

Members of the RMT union in the company's workforce have been working to rule since Wednesday ahead of a strike on Friday.

CalMac said it hopes to operate a third of its 27 services on Friday.

A dispute between the company and its employees has been triggered by the Scottish government's tendering process of the contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network.

CalMac and Serco have made bids for the work.

'Wrong-headed'

The government said an independent panel would ensure the procurement process was "fair, open and transparent".

However, the unions have concerns that the new contract will not protect jobs or employees' current terms and conditions.

Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA, said: "We want long-term guarantees on job security for our members and a recognition that the interests of the local communities will come first, not last.

"This plan is wrong-headed and unnecessary."

News of the TSSA's ballot has come as islands tourism businesses appeal for a resolution to the dispute.

Outer Hebrides Tourism (OHT) said the situation came just weeks after disruption to sailings between Ullapool and Stornoway.

The service was affected by work to upgrade facilities at the two ports.

OHT said a survey of tourism businesses across the islands suggested 75% had reported a significant drop in trade during the start of the 2015 season.

'Totally unacceptable'

Chairman Ian Fordham said "It is totally unacceptable that hundreds of our tourism businesses, and thousands of our visitors should be made to suffer as a result of this dispute.

"Action has been too little, too late."

CalMac said it was planning to operate a third of its routes on Friday as normal or to an amended timetable.

It has asked passengers to check its website for the latest information before travelling.

The company said the worst affected routes would be those serviced by the company's larger vessels including the Outer Hebrides, Mull, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree and Islay.

But a number of the smaller routes that attract large numbers of passengers will operate as normal, it added.

What has triggered the dispute?

CalMac's contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services comes to an end next year.

The Scottish government has put the contract out to tender, in line with European rules.

The RMT union has concerns that, regardless of who wins, the new contract will see changes in employees' current terms and conditions.

A reduction in staff numbers and pensions are key areas of concern.

The RMT has asked that the government guarantee in the new contract that compulsory redundancies do not happen and existing terms and conditions are continued.

Read more.....