News / NorthLink ‘dismayed and surprised’
NORTH boats operator Serco NorthLink has vowed to run as many services as possible to minimise disruption from a planned series of strike during the festive period.
The company that runs the lifeline ferry services between Shetland, Orkney and the Scottish mainland said it was “dismayed and surprised” that the RMT union was pressing ahead with industrial action since a planned reduction in sea staff would not lead to any compulsory redundancies.
The RMT union announced on Thursday that its members on the Shetland and Orkney ferries would withdraw their labour on three consecutive Fridays from 14 December.
The Shetland to Aberdeen via Kirkwall route will be affected on the three Sundays from 16 December.
The move follows an overwhelming vote by ferry crews to strike in protest at Serco’s plan to cut 36 jobs and introduce new working conditions.
Serco NorthLink managing director Stuart Garrett said the union had been notified as early as 13 November that there would be no requirement for compulsory redundancies.
He said: “Thirty-six employees have applied for voluntary redundancy and are already starting to leave the business. They will receive an enhanced redundancy package which significantly exceeds the statutory requirements.
“We continue to offer very favourable terms and conditions, including commitment to a three year pay deal that commenced last year. This deal saw all seafaring staff receive a 4.25 per cent pay rise this year, nearly double the rate of inflation and they will receive the same next year.
“The Scottish transport minister highlighted in a written Parliamentary Answer that the staffing changes proposed will actually have a positive impact locally due to the requirement for more seasonal and temporary labour.
“I am confident that we will actually employ more local people.”
Garrett added: “If the RMT insists on proceeding with this industrial action, we will be looking to maintain as many services as possible to minimise disruption to the public, particularly given the difficulties this action could cause to people’s travel plans over the festive period.”
The dates of industrial action are:
Orkney – Scrabster
• 00:01 hours to 24:00 hours on Friday 14 December 2012
• 00:01 hours to 24:00 hours on Friday 21 December 2012
• 00:01 hours to 24:00 hours on Friday 28 December 2012
Shetland – Aberdeen
• 08:00 hours on Friday 14 December 2012 to 08:00 hours on Saturday 15 December 2012
• 08:00 hours on Friday 21 December 2012 to 08:00 hours on Saturday 22 December 2012
• 08:00 hours on Friday 28 December 2012 to 08:00 hours on Saturday 29 December 2012
Aberdeen – Orkney – Shetland
• 08:00 hours on Sunday 16 December 2012 to 08:00 hours on Monday 17 December 2012
• 08:00 hours on Sunday 23 December 2012 to 08:00 hours on Monday 24 December 2012
• 08:00 hours on Sunday 30 December 2012 to 08:00 hours on Monday 31 December 2012.
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