Talks Fail To Avert Ferry Strike

The RMT union has confirmed its members working for ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne will go ahead with industrial action this week after talks failed today.

Leaders said the move is part of a fight to defend jobs, conditions and pensions.

The action will go ahead from Wednesday when a ban on working overtime begins, with 24 hours of strike action on Friday.

Publicly-owned CalMac and private firm Serco are bidding for a new contract for services to the west coast islands which are currently operated by CalMac.

The union said staff feel "caught in the crossfire'' of the tendering process for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.

Members have voted by more than 90% for action in a ballot.

General secretary Mick Cash said: The talks with CalMac have not made significant progress despite the best efforts of our negotiators and as a result the action goes ahead from Wednesday.

"It is extraordinary that rather than standing up for Scotland's lifeline ferry services, those who hold political power have resorted to ludicrous arguments about what does and doesn't represent privatisation. That is a kick in the teeth for loyal and hard-working staff who have given long hard years of service at CalMac.

"RMT members on CalMac rightly feel that they are caught in the crossfire of an unnecessary and damaging tendering battle that leaves jobs, conditions and pensions hanging by a thread. That is simply intolerable.

"RMT wants cast iron assurances and we want them now and we are committed to engaging in meaningful talks around that agenda as we kick off the first phase of industrial action.''