CalMac acts to protect ferry services in the face of industrial action
Ferry operator CalMac is aiming to work to a 90% complete timetable in the face of industrial action from the RMT union on Wednesday and Thursday this week (June 24, 25).
Temporary timetables are now in place and passengers should check them before travelling.
"We are disappointed that our dialogue with the RMT to avert industrial action this week has broken down but we now have in place plans to protect the vast majority of sailings tomorrow and Thursday," said CalMac's managing director, Martin Dorchester.
"The RMT are refusing to work overtime for the next two days potentially causing huge disruption to our services. Our staff have worked flat out to try and mitigate this industrial action as much as possible."
The temporary published timetables are subject to change so travellers should double check before setting off.
"We have made several serious concessions to the RMT including a commitment on no compulsory redundancies in our bid submission in return for the RMT calling off the industrial action planned for this week. Unfortunately this was rejected. We were also willing to work together with both the RMT and TSSA over the coming days to agree a form of words in our collective agreements which would provide greater protection to employees around terms and conditions of employment but without success."
The company are warning the public that they still face serious disruption when full RMT strike actions starts after midnight on Thursday for a 24 hour period.
"We will continue to do all we can to ensure that disruption to these lifeline service are kept to a minimum," added Mr Dorchester.
"However, the travelling public needs to be aware that disruption is inevitable and that they should consider carefully whether their trip is essential before travelling later this week."
"Our door remains open. We urge union representatives to re-enter dialogue with us as soon as possible and to give urgent consideration to our offer to avoid the what we believe will be unnecessary pain to the travelling public."
CalMac is still working on plans to protect services against full strike action on Friday.
For the latest service announcements on the RMT industrial action visit www.calmac.co.uk.
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