Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has pressed Keith Brown, Minister for Transport and Veterans, over the readiness of CalMac to compete for the contract when it goes out to tender in October 2013.

Dave Thompson said: “CalMac Ferries is an excellent public service provider that has a special place in the hearts of Hebrideans and we must do all that we can to ensure its success as a company."

The issue was raised in a topical question on the future of the service in the Scottish Parliament today. The Minister responded, saying that: “As the First Minister said recently and as the member says, we enjoy a fantastic service from the people at CalMac who provide services right across Scotland."

CalMac used to operate the NorthLink ferries, but recently lost the contract. Dave Thompson was keen to highlight the quality of the service Calmac provided on the West Coast, saying: “Can the minister therefore assure the Parliament that CalMac, which is our company after all, is doing everything that it can to improve efficiency while maintaining the high level of service that the travelling public expect, so that the company is in the best possible position to win the west coast ferry contract, whenever the process happens?"

Directly addressing the NorthLink contract, the Minister responded: “Obviously, the awarding of the NorthLink contract was something of a shock to the system for CalMac. I know from speaking to CalMac that it has learned lessons from that and that it intends to apply those lessons to its application for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract. CalMac is working to the October 2013 deadline, and it is working hard to ensure that it is successful in the next contract process."

Dave Thompson welcomed the reply, saying: “I am glad to hear from the Minister that CalMac has learned the lessons from the NorthLink contract, and is doing all it can to secure a renewal of the current contract on the West coast.

"CalMac provide a great service, and I hope that the company is doing all it can to ensure that it makes a competitive offer during the tender process next October."

Notes:

Text of question and the Ministers answer:

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP): CalMac Ferries is an excellent public service provider that has a special place in the hearts of Hebrideans and we must do all that we can to ensure its success as a company. Can the minister therefore assure the Parliament that CalMac, which is our company after all, is doing everything that it can to improve efficiency while maintaining the high level of service that the travelling public expect, so that the company is in the best possible position to win the west coast ferry contract, whenever the process happens?

Keith Brown: We must bear it in mind that the tendering process has to be open and fair—we are obliged to do nothing but that. As the First Minister said recently and as the member says, we enjoy a fantastic service from the people at CalMac who provide services right across Scotland. Obviously, the awarding of the NorthLink contract was something of a shock to the system for CalMac. I know from speaking to CalMac that it has learned lessons from that and that it intends to apply those lessons to its application for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract. CalMac is working to the October 2013 deadline, and it is working hard to ensure that it is successful in the next contract process.

This follows on from Dave’s question at FMQ’s last week, details below:

DAVE THOMPSON SEEKS ASSURANCES ON CALMAC JOBS

Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has sought and received assurances from the First Minister over the future of Caledonian MacBrayne workers should another operator be found. The contract is due to go out to tender, with a new contract beginning in October 2013.

Dave Thompson raised the issue of the existing workforce at First Ministers Questions on the 6th September. The First Minister echoed Dave’s description of the staff as “excellent” and stated that even if the contract were to change hands, the staff would be covered by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations. These regulations secure the transfer of workers contracts from one provider to another, giving workers the legal right to transfer to the new service provider on their existing terms and conditions.

Commenting on this, Dave Thompson said: “The ferries not only provide a crucial service for our communities throughout the West Coast and Islands, but they are also a vital source of jobs. While it is necessary to put the contract out to tender, it is important that any new service provider protects the jobs that Caledonian MacBrayne currently secure. The vast majority of the current workforce are based on the West coast, and it would be a huge blow to these communities if these jobs were threatened.

I hope that the First Ministers comments will reassure the staff that the Scottish Government appreciates the importance of their jobs and the excellent standard of the service they provide. The TUPE regulations will ensure that even in the event that the contract changes hands, existing staff contracts will be transferred to the new service provider and current terms will be preserved.

This should remove some of the uncertainty for the staff surrounding the tender process, and secure the jobs for our communities. I am also very pleased that the First minister confirmed that there were no plans to unbundle the routes and that the contract would go out as a whole.”