11/11/2008Rothesay pier: We work there, ask US about the problems!
I work on the pier. Has anybody asked us about the problems? Answer NO!!!! We are in the ranks of the lowest graded employees of Argyll & Bute, we work probably the longest hours because of the nature of the job but do we complain when there is a force 8 gale blowing, it's raining cats and dogs, NO we do our job, we tie the boat up regardless.
It does not matter how much money is spent on the facilities, 10s millions? 100s millions? If the staff are paid peanuts you will get monkeys!!!! Or what you deserve!!!
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Pier staff are overpaid, underworked, anyone can tie a boat up.
Anyway, perhaps if the merchant navy took over the running of the pier and boats, we would have a decent service.
H ROSS
- The people on the boat secure the boat, not the ones on the pier. They simply put the rope hoop over the capstan. As for force 8 gales, as a frequent traveller I too have been standing in the rain and wind waiting to board the boat via the car ramp. The only people with facilities on the pier are the staff, after putting the rope over the capstan, they disappear into their warm and dry rest rooms; what a life. Why don't the Calmac staff who collect the tickets simply catch the rope, I'm sure it would save the council a fortune. Have you seen the price of peanuts these days?
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Staff do not control the policies. I have always found the staff friendly and efficient. They are out in all weathers and being on the "front line" they have to listen to all the complaints, but don't have the power to change what their bosses decide.
Many of us in our own jobs are in the same position. We need to have a bit of compassion for the people who do their best to keep the ferries going under very difficult circumstances sometimes.
Mr. Ivory, no matter what you get paid, don't put yourself down - you are a man, a human being with dignity and self-respect. No-one but you and your colleagues really know the difficulties and challenges of your work. Despite all the problems the ferries are still running close to 100% of the time. Keep up the good work and all the best for Christmas and the New Year.
Ann Harvie, Rothesay