Fort William call centre signs agreement with TSSA union
Management at Abellio’s call centre in Fort William have signed a new recognition agreement with the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) union.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of TSSA, has welcomed the signing which will see the union negotiate certain employment conditions on behalf of employees.
‘This is good news for everyone in Fort William,’ he said. ‘This recognition agreement means our representatives will be negotiating on behalf of the workers in Fort William over pay, hours of work and holidays.’
Mr Cortes met with workers employed by rail operator Abellio at its Fort William call centre in August following news four employees would not have their employment continued.
The workers filling those roles at the Dutchowned company’s premises on the Claggan Industrial Estate were told they would not be given the chance to transfer to Glasgow as their employment was not being extended beyond an initial probationary period.
The news provoked an angry backlash from politicians and the TSSA and now Mr Cortes is pleased to be representing staff at the Fort William centre.
There are now 16 members of TSSA in the Fort William contact centre, making up around 90 per cent of the workforce.
‘I want to congratulate workers in Fort William for joining the TSSA,’ Mr Cortes continued. ‘It is only through their strength
and determination that we have won this breakthrough in industrial relations.
‘But I also want to put Abellio on notice that we are seeking recognition for both their sites in Glasgow.
‘It appears Scotland’s biggest subsidy junkie, Abellio, hasn’t received or simply ignored Nicola Sturgeon’s memo about the Scottish Government valuing the work which trade unions do and wanting employers to work with them.
‘The company’s ScotRail contract sees billions of Scottish taxpayers pounds going their way. Is it a lot to ask of Abellio to abide by the wishes of their Scottish paymaster in chief, Nicola Sturgeon, by allowing Abellio staff their right to be represented by a union at their Glasgow sites? Frankly, if they don’t the Scottish Government ought to order them to do so.’