Scottish Ferry Workers on Strike
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
June 26, 2015
Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members at the ferry operator CalMac go on strike over the future of services of Scotland’s west coast as two thirds of CalMac routes have been suspended.
CalMac will operate a third of its Clyde and Hebrides ferry services, with nine of 27 routes sailing as normal or to an amended timetable.
The RMT union is concerned about the outcome of a tendering bid which could see the service change hands from publicly-owned CalMac to private firm Serco.
They walk out over prospect of Serco winning contract to operate services across Clyde, inner Hebrides and Western Isles.
Supplemented by air services, the CalMac ferry system links the mainland with dozens of islands on the Firth of Clyde and west coast of Scotland, with ports in Stornoway on Lewis, Brodick on Arran, Craignure on Mull and holiday destinations such as Gigha, Islay and the Uists in the outer Hebrides.
A second trade union, the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), which represents 100 ticket-office staff and managers at CalMac Ferries, will also ballot members on industrial action next week.
RMT members voted 90% in favour of industrial action after Scottish ministers put an eight-year contract to operate the state-owned and heavily subsidized services out to tender under EU procurement rules.
About 40% of the normal passenger capacity is expected to be available, with passengers urged to check the CalMac website for updates.
