Commuters Braced For Ferry Strike

Some ferry services will be suspended today as workers go on strike over the future of services on Scotland's west coast.

CalMac will operate a third of its Clyde and Hebrides ferry services as workers signal their concern over a tendering process which could see the routes taken over by private firm Serco.

The action was called by RMT union members who are seeking assurances about jobs and conditions.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association, which represents 100 ticket-office staff and managers at publicly-owned CalMac Ferries, will ballot members on industrial action next week.

Nine of 27 routes will sail as normal or to an amended timetable today, with about 40% of the normal passenger capacity expected to be available.

The routes affected will be those serviced by the company's larger vessels including the Outer Hebrides, Mull, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree and Islay.

Additional bus, rail and air services have been arranged to help mitigate the impact of the action, with passengers urged to check the CalMac website for the latest information.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said. It is clear that the CalMac workers, locked into a battle for the very future of these lifeline ferry services, are drawing in broad political and public support as the issues at the heart of the dispute are exposed and the smokescreen of misinformation melts away.

There are now no excuses. The assurances on jobs, staffing, safety and the future of the ferry services that RMT has been seeking from the start should be met as a matter of urgency to allow us to move forwards with security and certainty.

RMT members are rock solid in their support for the action we have been forced to take to defend CalMac from an unnecessary and damaging attack and the ball is now firmly in CalMac's court and we expect them to act swiftly now.''

CalMac's managing director Martin Dorchester said: Our door continues to remain open to reach a satisfactory conclusion that suits all parties and avoids this unnecessary action.

Although it looks like this action will be limited in scope, it will undoubtedly still hit the communities we serve hard.

It is not just an inconvenience at the start of the tourist season it will impact island businesses where it hurts most, in their pockets.

We will continue to work to mitigate as much as possible any disruption for the travelling public and I would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank passengers for their patience during this time.''

Scottish ministers say they are forbidden from favouring one bidder over another under European competition regulations.