Caledonian MacBrayne and the RMT union have achieved an understanding on the wage negotiations which continued in Glasgow today (Wednesday, August 20) and will see a ballot of RMT members now considering the outcome.

Alasdair MacInnes, Caledonian MacBrayne's Director of Human Resources, said: "We are pleased to confirm that we now have a set of proposals which has been agreed and will be put to the RMT members for their consideration. The RMT will shortly ballot their members on these proposals and both sides have agreed that it would not be helpful to discuss them publicly until the members have a chance to take a view for themselves."

The proposals, which were agreed at today's meeting, will now be presented to a meeting of the Port Committee in Glasgow tomorrow (Thursday) and the next stage in the process will flow from that meeting.

Both sides described today's talks as useful and productive, and both now await the outcome of the Port Committee meeting which will clarify the next stage in the process of concluding the wage negotiations.

Until the Port Committee meets there will be no further comment from either side.

ends

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Public Affairs Manager, Caledonian MacBrayne.

Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk

Issued:  Wednesday, August 20, 2003  (1700)