NEWS RELEASE
21st August 2005
Embargoed 22/08/05 00:01
Unions Must be Given Chance to Put Case to European Commissioner Before Final CalMac Decision - STUC
The STUC and CalMac trade unions have learned that Transport Minister, Tavish Scott MSP, intends to report back to the Scottish Parliament on his discussions with European Transport Commissioner Barot during the second week of September. All the indications are that the Minister will inform MSPs that the tendering process will proceed.
The STUC will lead a delegation of CalMac trade union representatives to Strasbourg on the 27th September to meet with Commissioner Barot to spell out why tendering will be detrimental to the workforce, fragile island communities and the Scottish taxpayer. We will also seek to clarify the recent EU guidance on state aids in light of the Altmark decision which appears to exempt most if not all CalMac services from the requirement to tender.
STUC Assistant Secretary John Park said:
"We believe that it is only sensible and fair to all involved for the Minister to report back to Parliament after the trade unions have had an opportunity to put our case directly to the Commissioner".
The Scottish Executive was defeated on the CalMac vote in December 2004. In the intervening period the Local Government and transport Committee carried out an inquiry into the requirement for tendering to proceed. The Committee have yet to publish their findings, question the Minister on those findings or share information with MSPs prior to the debate.
STUC Assistant Secretary John Park added:
"The STUC believes it would be inappropriate for the Minister to pronounce on the future of CalMac's lifeline services prior to the Committee's report. To do so would show a complete disregard for the work of the Committee and to those who participated in the inquiry.
"We have today written to Tavish Scott asking him to delay his decision until · the Local Government and Finance Committee have had the opportunity to finalise their work · the CalMac trade unions have met with Commissioner Barot; and,