Caledonian MacBrayne and NUMAST sign Partnership at Work Agreement

12 May 2003

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has agreed a formal Partnership at Work Agreement with the union NUMAST which both parties believe should lead to a more constructive and meaningful relationship. The discussions arose from the signing of a joint statement of intent in August 2001, and concluded recently with the final meeting of the joint working group which had been set up. The Agreement has been sent to all NUMAST members working for CalMac. It was signed by Alasdair Macinnes, CalMac’s HR Director, and Mark Dickinson for NUMAST.

The agreement makes provision for a partnership committee consisting of 8 Officers from the fleet made up of the existing 5 Liaison Officers (3 from the Western Isles and 2 from the Clyde Division) plus an additional 3 officers elected from the fleet. NUMAST is now inviting additional nominations for election to the partnership Committee.

The agreement also makes provision for members of the Partnership Committee to receive training. Initial discussions have been held about various options and components of a structured training course. A questionnaire will be circulated to assess training needs. The joint working group also identified some initial issues that could be considered in due course by the Partnership Committee. These include State Aids tendering; operational strategy; current and future business plans; Human Resource strategy; Equal Opportunities; new-build policy; joint communications; and promoting NUMAST membership.

Alasdair MacInnes said: “NUMAST and CalMac have come to the view that the traditional form of industrial relations with its inherently confrontational nature is not the kind of relationship either would wish to maintain in the future. A partnership approach and the avoidance of unnecessary industrial conflict – even the percption of unrest - is essential given the uncertainty about the company’s future in terms of the State Aids Tendering process. It is anticipated that the Managing Director will attend the first meeting of the Partnership Committee to emphasise his support for the new partnership. The first two meetings of the Partnership Committee are to take place in June and September 2003, in Glasgow.”

The terms of the Agreement have been jointly realised. They now form the basis of a live document which will be modified as partnership activity at CalMac develops.