Tugs and centralisation on trade union agenda

Publicly funded rescue tugs and the “authority creep” from the Highlands and Islands to Edinburgh are among the issues that trade union representatives are set to debate next week at the Scottish Trade Union Congress in Aviemore.

Inverness and District Trades Union Council has raised concerns about the potential threat posed to crews and communities in the northern and north-west coastal and seaway areas and island groups by the loss of the Stornoway tug service.

Their motion, that will be debated on Monday, proposes that in light of energy and industry developments, as well as growing maritime tourist potential, congress should support the full restoration of a fully funded tug service.

Another motion, to be debated later in the week, raises concerns about the “authority creep” of executive direction, budgets, and employment opportunities from the Highlands and Islands to Edinburgh.