Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has urged the RMT union to allow its members to have their say on the agreement for settlement of wage negotiations achieved earlier this week.

In a letter to RMT General Secretary Bob Crow, who is meeting local representatives of the union this afternoon, CalMac states that there was no doubt that an agreement in principle was reached by the company with RMT liaison officers on Monday and Tuesday.

CalMac Director of Human Resources Alasdair MacInnes said: “We believe that the RMT liaison officers had the authority to conclude agreements with Management on pay and conditions and therefore I am surprised that Bob Crow, RMT UK General Secretary, appears to be claiming  that they were not in a position to do so, given this fact, and the delegated authority from Steve Todd, their national organiser.”

CalMac has welcomed Mr Crow’s confirmation that he is prepared to put the details of the proposal to RMT members to  let them decide on whether to accept or reject it.

Mr MacInnes added: “I believe that the agreement in principle achieved on Monday is a fair and reasonable offer and the best possible for everyone concerned.  We would be hopeful that when members see the details of the offer that it is accepted. I look forward to receiving at the earliest opportunity, the result of the ballot on the signed agreement relating to the proposed wage settlement. Once this has been concluded both parties will be in a better position to say if there is a need for any further talks.”

He added: “CalMac strongly believes that the agreement in principle which was achieved on Monday and Tuesday on the proposals for settlement with RMT representatives was formulated in good faith. We also believe that that agreement was undermined by the intervention of Mr Crow from London on Wednesday. We believe that this breached the spirit of the agreement on proposals for settlement achieved on Monday and Tuesday at meetings which were held with the full approval of Steve Todd.”