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Ferry operators to battle for west coast franchise

CalMac cancelled a number of services due to the bad weather.
CalMac cancelled a number of services due to the bad weather.

Passengers using CalMac ferries face a possible summer of disruption after workers voted to strike over pay and conditions.

Members of the Rail and Maritime Transport (RMT) union announced yesterday plans for the walkouts after 92% of its members voted for strike action and 98% voted for action short of a strike, from a turnout of 60%.

The news came as it was revealed that CalMac face a rival bid for the £1billion contract to operate the Clyde and Hebridean services.

The Scottish Government confirmed yesterday that Serco Caledonian Ferries, who already operate ferries to Orkney and Shetland, have launched a rival bid.

There is currently no timescale for the strike action but it could take place over the busy summer months.

The RMT said the industrial relationship with CalMac on the Clyde and Hebrides network has “deteriorated” in recent months to such an extent that it had “no choice” but to declare a formal dispute with the company.

The union claims the ferry operator has failed to provide it with satisfactory reassurances over job security, conditions of service, pensions and continuity of lifeline ferry services for remote communities and businesses.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The failure to give our members the most basic assurances meant that RMT had no alternative but to ballot CalMac members for strike action and industrial action short of strike action, in order to secure our members’ rights during this period of increasing uncertainty and insecurity.

“That ballot has now concluded and members have delivered a massive and solid mandate for action.

“RMT remains available for serious and constructive talks aimed at resolving this dispute.”

A CalMac spokesman said: “We note that the RMT union has announced the result of its ballot for industrial action.

“We recognise that there are difficult issues facing our employees currently. We acknowledge that our trade unions wish to support the interests of their members, however, we do not believe that taking steps toward industrial action is appropriate at this stage.

“We have only just entered dialogue on the matters. That process has only just started and hasn’t had any chance to deliver progress. We would be concerned that a dispute now can only damage the prospects of reaching a mutually acceptable outcome.

“We remain committed to continuing the ongoing discussions with all trade unions.”