RMT members at CalMac to take industrial action

The industrial action will be taken on CalMac's Clyde and Hebrides network

RMT members among the workforce of ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne are to go ahead with industrial action after talks failed.

The employees will refuse to work overtime on the ferry operator's Clyde and Hebrides services on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Friday, the workers plan to hold a 24-hour strike in the dispute over job security, conditions and pensions.

CalMac has said the strike would likely cause severe disruption.

The company operates almost every ferry route on the west coast of Scotland.

They include services to and from the Western Isles and the Inner Hebrides.

What has triggered the dispute?

CalMac's contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services comes to an end next year.

The Scottish government has put the contract out to tender. It says this has to happen in line with European rules.

The RMT union has concerns that, regardless of who wins, the new contract will see changes in employees' current terms and conditions.

A reduction in staff numbers and pensions are a key areas of concern.

The RMT has asked that the government guarantee in the new contract that compulsory redundancies do not happen and existing terms and conditions are continued.

Industrial action marks a ramping up in the union's call for this to happen.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the talks had not made "significant progress".

He said: "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."

He added: "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."

CalMac has posted information on its website about refunds to its customers if the strike goes ahead.

Its managing director, Martin Dorchester, urged union representatives to re-enter talks as soon as possible and said CalMac aimed to do "everything possible to avert any industrial action which will impact our ability to maintain the lifeline services we provide."

He added: "Failure to keep these discussions alive will be a disappointment, not just to those who will be losing pay this week, but to potentially thousands of travellers of who will be disrupted. The threat of strike action also has major potential to damage the economies of the communities we are part of.

"We are currently working on alternative timetables and contingency plans and will be doing all we can to ensure that disruption to these lifeline service are kept to a minimum.

"However, the travelling public needs to be aware that disruption is inevitable and that they should consider careful whether their trip is essential before travelling later this week."

The Scottish government called on CalMac and the unions to continue with talks in an effort to reach an agreement that avoids strike action.

A spokesman said: "In the interim, officials at CalMac and Transport Scotland have made contact with bus, rail and aviation operators to see what additional services can be provided during this week's industrial action and we stand ready to support the islands during this challenging time."