Manuel Cortes, centre, was at the Fort William call centre on Tuesday to sign the new recognition agreement.
Management at Abellio’s call centre in Fort William have signed a new recognition agreement with the Transport Salaried Staff s’ 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.