Photo by dun_deagh (Creative Commons)

Photo by dun_deagh (Creative Commons)   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Philip Stott, Socialist Party Scotland

West Scotland ferry workers struck on 25 June against privatisation and cuts to jobs, pay and pensions on their “lifeline” routes. Members of transport union RMT began action short of strike on 24 June to fight Scottish National Party (SNP) government attacks.

Publicly owned CalMac is competing with notorious privatising firm Serco for Scotland’s Hebrides and west coast islands ferry contract. The SNP-led Scottish government has opened it up to tender ahead of renewal in 2016. It claims European law requires this.

The RMT is demanding no compulsory redundancies, and the same pension rights and terms and conditions as staff have now, regardless of who wins the new contract.

Complaints

Serco was recently given the Orkney and Shetland ferry contract. This led to complaints by passengers and unions as the firm raised fares, cut services and reduced crew levels to squeeze profits from passengers. The Scottish government also recently awarded Serco ScotRail sleeper services – plus a £60 million bonus to buy new trains.

Gordon Martin, RMT Scotland organiser, explained to us what is at stake: “We are not striking to get better pay or conditions, we are taking action in defence of what we currently enjoy.

“The whole tendering process is outrageous. We believe this SNP government should employ the position adopted in opposition – and oppose the tendering process. They should make a coherent legal argument to Brussels regarding the lifeline nature of many of the routes.

“Not for the first time we hear the Scottish government profess fairness for workers and portray themselves as left wing. In reality they have consistently given public contracts to their privateer of choice, Serco.

“This initial stage of industrial action will be followed by more if we do not receive the reasonable demands we have made.”

  • This is an edited version of the full report at www.socialistpartyscotland.org.uk