Ferry passengers have threatened to drive into staff in their cars over frustrations about cancellations and delays, according to an outraged trade union boss.
Workers on the CalMac ferry fleet are “coming to their limits” over the “unacceptable” abuse they are receiving from members of the public for problems often beyond their control.
Martyn Gray, executive officer at seafarers’ union Nautilus International, told MSPs these kinds of threats have got worse “in line with the increase in breakdowns”.
‘Physical threats are not uncommon’
In Holyrood on Tuesday, Mr Gray said: “Physical threats to workers are not uncommon.
“The kind of abuse recently has included threats to drive into them and run them over so they can forcibly board the ferry.”
The anger towards staff comes as the Scottish Government continues to defend massive delays to over-budget vessels which are supposed to be taking the strain off island routes.
SNP ministers are also under pressure to build more ferries after concerns they waited too long to replace the ageing fleet.
‘Workers want to quit’
Mr Gray said the anger is forcing workers on lifeline island routes out of their jobs.
“We are starting to see people come to their limits and consider their retirement options early or looking for an opportunity that doesn’t involve dealing with the public owing to the abuse they receive,” he told MSPs.
He also said travelling public need to understand the reasons for ferry cancellations.
If something went wrong and staff had not “erred on the side of caution” it could lead to a “disaster and loss of life”.
He added: “Because of issues with vessels such as a lack of resilience, an upswing in passenger numbers and other factors like a lack of investment in infrastructure, we are finding ourselves in a situation where passenger frustration is being taken out on our people and that’s not right.”
Cancellations are a ‘significant call’
Mr Gray added it is important members of the public understand that if a ferry has been cancelled, it has been a “significant call” over safety.
He warned: “Sailing when it is not safe could have catastrophic consequences.
“If something goes wrong and we have not erred on the side of caution it could lead to a disaster and loss of life so we need to be very careful.”
Gordon Martin, leader officer for CalMac Ferries at the RMT union, told police have to patrol some ferry terminals on busy bank holidays to “ensure the safety of workers”.
He said: “The only way to avoid [physical and verbal threats] is by getting some resilience in there with additional vessels so if something goes wrong, there’s an alternative vessel that can be used.”
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