I READ with great interest the article by Greg Russell quoting Ian Blackford MP in relation to UK Government sources making noises about yet another round of pay freezes and no doubt other further attacks on the hard-won terms and conditions of workers (November 21). Mr Blackford quite rightly calls it a slap in the face for workers.
The challenge I have for Mr Blackford’s colleagues in the Scottish Government at Holyrood is how do we address the kick in the teeth already delivered by the Scottish Government-owned Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries. The best efforts of myself and the RMT negotiating team, along with our sister trade unions, have been met with management intransigence and refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations to secure a fair and reasonable pay award for Calmac staff who have risked their own health, safety and well-being as well as the health of their loved ones to ensure our west coast island communities have had lifeline services and essential goods delivered throughout the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
READ MORE: Austerity: Tory plans for public sector pay freeze a 'slap in the face'
From our opening round of discussions with management it has been clear they are not prepared to move from a financial line imposed on them by their paymasters at Holyrood, and all along throughout the process their first offer has been their final offer. I have been involved in pay negotiations for many years and unfortunately Calmac have refused to negotiate and simply stuck with an offer which was based on an August RPI figure, which was artificially low and if agreed to would already see lifeline ferry workers with a pay cut in real terms.
Unfortunately we are now heading for a dispute that no-one on the trade union side of the table wants, and which can be avoided if the company and the government, through their officials at Transport Scotland, engage in a proactive manner. Simply saying no and burying your head in the sand is not a negotiating strategy I would recommend, as it leads to low morale and rancour building up amongst the workforce, who feel undervalued.
READ MORE: CalMac ferry workers may strike after pay talks collapse, union warns
Mr Blackford will have many Calmac workers in his constituency and I am sure his colleagues who represent constituencies similar to his own will be mindful of next year’s Scottish Parliamentary elections and be eager to see this dispute settled well in advance of the crucial poll next May.
I am sure these MSPs will expect Calmac to get back round the negotiating table, or even in the first instance have the managing director return my calls, or reconsider their point blank refusal to enter into conciliation as offered to them by ACAS. As I allude to above, this burying the head in the sand is not a negotiating style I would recommend although unfortunately it seems to be the only strategy Calmac have.
While I totally support Mr Blackford in his castigation of the Tories at Westminster I would also ask him to use the considerable influence he has within the SNP and engage with his Holyrood colleagues to put a more positive pressure on Calmac management to engage with the representatives of their workforce and avoid slapped faces and kicks in the teeth for the workers and the inevitable bloody nose their constituents will administer come May 2021 in retaliation.
Gordon Martin
Regional Organiser, RMT
WONDERFUL letter from Scott Egner (November 20)! It really does sum up what we are all wanting. This road to independence has not and will not be easy, but let’s not be scared to talk about it and discuss and promote with all our hearts, because whatever else is going on around us will still be happening regardless! Our cause is a just one, don’t be scared of it!
Joy Kirkpatrick
via email
READ MORE: Time to get the band back together and start campaigning
I TOO was in the huff for half an hour after Ian Blackford’s interview with Lesley Riddoch! What an inspiring and motivational long letter from Scott Egner. Thank you.
Ann Leitch
via email
I REFER to the letter from Alexander Potts (November 21).
I agree that the civil action by Martin Keatings concerning the right of the Scottish Government to hold a valid independence referendum without permission from Westminster in the form of a Section 30 order could be crucial.
READ MORE: Martin Keatings Court of Session case might change everything
However, it is a pity that he referred to it as an action in the High Court, a mistake compounded by the sub-editor, who added the heading “High Court action could change everything”. The action referred to is in the Court of Session. The only high court in the United Kingdom hearing civil cases is the English High Court. The High Court in Scotland in a purely criminal court.
It’s a pity that The National, of all publications, slips into English terminology when speaking of matters of Scots law. What next, reports of arson, manslaughter and burglary?
Colin Wilson
Alford, Aberdeenshire
REALLY looking forward to reading the Constitution for Scotland articles. Simple, aspirational and inspirational a constitution must, in my opinion, form an absolutely central part in next year’s independence campaign.
C Tait
Largs
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