ruidh

Here's a challenge,once you get home to your own planet keep taking your medication!! Faith in this Scottish Goverment,Serco play by the rules....as I said keep taking the medication. Serco representatives refused to respond to the RMT’s proposal that this issue be referred to ACAS. In fact, the company did not even have the courtesy to respond to register their disagreement with this reasonable proposal but simply ignored it.

I'm sure the people you dealt with were very professional,unfortunatly the same can't be said for the management they have put into Northlink.The previous management spoke to the unions.The Ferries ran without any trouble.Garret should be removed and some one who is willing to negotiate and not dictate should be brought in.

There had not been an industrial dispute on ferry services to the Northern Isles for 30 years. In the 6 month since Serco have taken over this is the second ballot for strike action!!!!!! Maybe Serco need to to look at replacing the MD,because to me it looks like that appointment was a wrong un.Only my humble opinion of course.

And of course he has no influence _________________ Of course not

"For those who have not quite got it yet"'Bob Crow doesnt have a vote in the Ballot,the men and woman who work on the boats vote.Crow didn't tell them how to vote,each individual was able to put the X on the ballot paper. They are not striking because of a hatred for Serco,THEY ARE STRIKING TO PROTECT JOBS WHICH ARE HARD ENOUGH TO COME BY AS IT IS.

My Source (code name ocres )tells me ,pay deal was a 3 year agreement made with the previous operator.

How's about the Shetland Times asking Serco Northlink if there's any truth in what's being said,and then printing a response. You can strike the words lifeline out any conversation regarding this operation. Once this contract was awarded to a private operator answerable to private share holders who require a dividend it became a private business.(Subsidised by Scottish Executive) My understanding is that the previous operator had to hand back a certain amount of any profit they made,again,it seems that this is not the case with Serco, Surprise,surprise!!! This service should be run by a board of directors who are only answerable to Scottish Executive.

Your wasting your time "Chookargyll" ,let them find out the hard way. Boy,boy will there be some moaning then.

Your wasting your time "Chookargyll" ,let them find out the hard way. Boy,boy will there be some moaning then.

Yes. 5 O' clock sailings from Aberdeen on Sat, Sun, Tues and Thurs. 7 O' clock sailings on Mon, Wed and Fri. And for whatever reason the 5 o clock days always seem to be the ones that I'd return on - Sat/Sun for going to football for example - Could go to Pittodrie on Sat afternoon and get the boat back if it sailed at 7. It's probably saving you severe heartache by not visiting Pittodrie. I'm a Jambo though - not much better, eh. 7 o clocks mean you can get back from away games in Dundee and Inverness if theyve been moved to 12:45 for TV, I do go to games but the ferry never works, its always flying which is pricier. Expensive!!!

Yes. 5 O' clock sailings from Aberdeen on Sat, Sun, Tues and Thurs. 7 O' clock sailings on Mon, Wed and Fri. And for whatever reason the 5 o clock days always seem to be the ones that I'd return on - Sat/Sun for going to football for example - Could go to Pittodrie on Sat afternoon and get the boat back if it sailed at 7. It's probably saving you severe heartache by not visiting Pittodrie.

Isn't the 5 oclock sailing to Aberdeen on alternative days?

http://forargyll.com/2012/10/serco-profit-taking-starts-already-in-downgrading-maintenance-of-northlink-ferries/ Interesting read.

The Union are the staffs representatives and it's they that should be spoken to,and then,the union addresses it's members as to the company's proposals. I agree that strike action is the last thing that is needed,but there is a lot of angry people out there who see the MD and his entourage having meetings all over the place but has not spoken to the people at the coal face of the operation. Good points but I do not agree ! the union are their to represent the employee after negotiation at local level has broken down ? if the company in question do not speak to the staff how can negotiation begin, What should happen is a meeting with all employees and the local Shop stewards then a meeting between the staff and the shop stewards and then a meeting between the company and the shop stewards to discuss any areas of concern. After that meetings have taken place the Shop Stewards should have another meeting with the staff to relay the outcome to the staff so on and so forth, But their has to be give and take on both sides if the staff and the RMT think that they are going to get everything their own way then we best get ready for a disrupted ferry service. In my opinion Serco are not the worst company to deal with and I think its more a case of this RMT guy with a bee in his bonnet, I have spoken to a number of shore staff and they seem quite happy and the feelings are possibly along the lines of what Ruidh said "Divide and Conquer" but thats a standard tactic by any large company in any situation of disagreement not just serco. If I was a union rep still I would be more concerned with preserving peoples jobs maintaining salarys and providing the service that is required so their can be no performance related come back from the new company and continue discussions with no change until all other options have been exhausted ! and that may well take some time but all that is needed is for an agreement on those terms to be signed by both parties. Thats my tuppence worth for what its worth no doubt get jumped on from great height but hey thats life And Ruidh from what I gather your an employee ! careful what you post mate dont land your self in hot water its a hard one for any union rep to defend when it printed out in black and white ?? After thought you have a Serco contract in shetland @ Scatsta why not speak to the staff reps etc up their and see how your T & Cs compare Serco are all about Equality are they not ? I agree that things should be done at local level,and in this situation kept at local level without interference from sooth moothers.,( the man with the"bee in his bonnet"So come on Serco talk the talk, happy staff on your ships makes for happy customers,after all that's where they'll spend most of their time and that's what they'll remember. Thanks for your advice on postings,im always aware of Big Brother!!!

I'm beginning to think your winding me up. The MD of Serco Northlink has just come from running the Isle of Man steam shipping company (ferries). Serco operate the biggest fleet under the Red ensign. And finally I hardly think three Passengers ferries can be classed as a " huge operation". It's a game Serco are playing, have you ever heard the saying "divide and conquer".

Tirvalux wrote. /quote]They have been speaking to people at the coal face of the operation, the RMT union haven't . Tirvalux,You must be privalliged to have been spoken to as of there intentions,because no one else I know has.The only meeting that I know of was when Jamie Ross spoke for an hour and told us absolutely nothing of there plans except that they wouldn't pay the pension (which they changed there minds about ) a new bistro bar and no Restauraunt .So iif you have new information on things like flexi manning ,zero hours ,please share it as I and the rest of our crew would love to know what the-future holds for us.

The Union are the staffs representatives and it's they that should be spoken to,and then,the union addresses it's members as to the company's proposals. I agree that strike action is the last thing that is needed,but there is a lot of angry people out there who see the MD and his entourage having meetings all over the place but has not spoken to the people at the coal face of the operation.

RMT to ballot their members on the 19th July for industrial action. Come on Serco speak to them,you seem to be speaking to everyone else except your sea going staffs representatives .

If anyone is going tonight could they ask Serco why loyal employees who've worked for Northlink and previous to that P&O are having their pension stopped,and are being offers an inferior pension ,which in six years may need to be changed again if Serco lose the contract. Also ask them when the boats are coming out of service to have the new recliners and new cafe done? And how do they propose to cover the runs during this time. Can't be there my self unfortunately.

I as a potential "striker" hope it doesn't come to a stoppage, and Serco agree to pay into the existing pension fund. I hope Crow and his side kicks use more temperate language when speaking to the media, and not use the likes of " Brothers and Sister" terms of the Scargill era which only reminds people of the old lefty mob. Once agiain I remind you that people from your own Islands,as well as people from the mainland who may be about to retire in the next few years,are going to suffer as a result of this. Time is not on our side July 5th is just round the corner.

"Just me" i beleive The RMT have called for a strike because Serco have no intention of continuing the pension and don't be surprised if the Officers union does the same.Feelings are very strong about this. And as for Jamie Ross of Serco saying "the talks were constructive " my understanding was it was a case of this is what we are going to do and we aren't going to shift on it.

I use the boats 3/4 times per year and have always found the crew to be pleasant and courteous. Never abused them and, more to the point, have never seen anyone else abuse them. Probably tourists... ditto. Agreed. Serco aren't doing this out of any sense of altruism. They are in it for the money and, like all big companies, every penny shaved off their 'expenses' means more profit. Funny how you can never find a politician when you need one.... Thank you for your support. Many people have paid into this pension fund for years for their retirement. It makes you laugh that on one had Goverment tells us to plan for the future, which we were doing,now along comes Serco and says nope we ain't playing ball on this one,( awarded the contract by Goverment). Serco do have their own pension scheme ( some new law has,or is,coming into force ,where you are automatically enrolled ,you have to tell your employer you wish to opt out.)So say you join up,and 6 years down the line Serco loose the Contract,new company takes over with their own scheme,you have to start afresh...then another six years someone else takes over.,and so on and on... In this situation where a new employer could be in place every six years it should be part of the Terms and conditions that existing pension should be honoured otherwise you could end up with multiple pension which have only run for six years and aren't worth sod all,as they haven't run a long enough term.

Thank you,your comment is much appreciated.

. I have always greeted P & O/Northlink staff with a smile as indeed I have greeted British Airways/Business Air/Flybe staff and staff everywhere. Just want you to think that your industrial action might hurt your customers more than it hurts Serco. I do realise that it may hurt customers more than Serco,but a line has to be drawn in the sand sometime. What would the people of Shetland and Orkney do if they were put down to one boat a week ( a bit of an extreme example I know) they wouldnt sit and let it happen would they,no they'd create a fuss. We only have to July the 5th to get something done about this,as that's the date they stop contributing to the pension. Here's something else for you to ponder. With the reduction in freight service there will be more " time sensitive freight" I take it they are talking about salmon,fish etc, carried on the passenger ships , so as well as packing your shoes and slippers ,a pair of wellies won't go amiss as you walk through all the fish breer on the car deck,oh and a peg for your nose for the smell. One last thing more freight on the passenger boats means more lower hold,even on the direct run...and boy do I know how punters just love going down there....Happy days!!!!

Don't want your sympathy,just want you to behave like civilised human beings and remember its not the people who work at the coal face so to speak,who make the decisions that affect the passengers. We welcome you on board and try and serve you as best we can. Some of the abuse we take would make the saltiest seaman blush. The reason they are talking about a strike is,we have paid into a pension plan MNOPF and MNRPF ( officer and ratings pension funds) employee and employer paying in their respective amounts ,SERCO no longer want to do this,so in effect your pension is frozen.For those of you slagging us of ,ask yourself what your reaction would be,remembering some people have been paying into this most of there Merchant navy career ,and not just on the North boats. The government tells us that we should be planning for the future.We were....