Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that meetings have been held with RMT representatives in Glasgow over the last two days which the company believes has produced a proposal for settlement of the current wage talks. However, the company disputes the union’s interpretation of the agreed proposal.

The union has this afternoon issued a statement from London which details the RMT’s understanding of what was agreed. However, there was an agreement that no details would be revealed by either side.

Furthermore, CalMac states that some elements of the unions News Release are factually incorrect. Philip Preston, Deputy Technical Director, said: “We firmly believe that there was an understanding not to divulge any details of the proposal until local RMT representatives had discussed the issues with their members and balloted for a decision. The statement the union has issued does not reflect the reality of the final outcome of our deliberations. It is materially incorrect in a number of respects, particularly in relation to the make-up of the final offer.”

Cal Mac will be making no further comment on the outcome of the talks until the RMT themselves have had the opportunity to discuss the proposal with their members, and also until the contents of the News release have been clarified to everyone’s satisfaction.