Nwicker60
11-Dec-12, 16:45
Choice of operator didn't remove uncertainty says MSP
Highlands & Islands Labour MSP, David Stewart, has called on the Transport Minister, Keith Brown, to intervene in the row between RMT union members and Serco Northlink over staff members’ terms and conditions.
Failure to reach agreement has resulted in the union announcing nine days of strike action over the Christmas and New Year period on north sailings, beginning this Friday.
The dispute between the parties stems from proposed job cuts and changes to staff terms and conditions after Serco took over the running of the north sailings earlier this year.
David Stewart MSP said “Serco was only announced as the new operator a matter of months ago and already we are in a disastrous situation. When Serco was confirmed as the new operator of the north routes, Transport Minister, Keith Brown said the decision would remove any uncertainty for islanders, businesses and staff. This is certainly not the case as within months of the new contract being confirmed, strike action is pending. Keith Brown must step in here and sort this out”.
Highlands & Islands Labour MSP, David Stewart, has called on the Transport Minister, Keith Brown, to intervene in the row between RMT union members and Serco Northlink over staff members’ terms and conditions.
Failure to reach agreement has resulted in the union announcing nine days of strike action over the Christmas and New Year period on north sailings, beginning this Friday.
The dispute between the parties stems from proposed job cuts and changes to staff terms and conditions after Serco took over the running of the north sailings earlier this year.
David Stewart MSP said “Serco was only announced as the new operator a matter of months ago and already we are in a disastrous situation. When Serco was confirmed as the new operator of the north routes, Transport Minister, Keith Brown said the decision would remove any uncertainty for islanders, businesses and staff. This is certainly not the case as within months of the new contract being confirmed, strike action is pending. Keith Brown must step in here and sort this out”.