Hands off CalMac, warns firebrand Bob Crow

Maritime union bosses fired a warning salvo at the Scottish Government last night to keep their hands off lifeline ferry services – or face possible strike action.

Bob Crow, general secretary of maritime union RMT called on the government to end speculation that Caledonian MacBrayne's prime Hebridean and Clyde ferry services could pass into private ownership, as a result of the latest government review.

Launching a campaign to protect island services and Scottish ferry workers jobs, he warned that his union would fight privatisation of any ferry routes at all costs.

He said: "If they try to erode any of our members terms and conditions ?it will be a ballot for industrial action, it will be a campaign with the users and the TUC."

Speaking in Oban, at the first of a series of public meetings being held across the Highlands and Islands, Mr Crow said the millions of pounds spent reviewing Scottish ferry services over the years, as a result of European legislation, was a waste of money.

He said the cash should have gone on buying more ferries and improving routes – not looking at options to split up services and claimed the Oban to Craignure route has been identified as one of several routes in danger of being cherry-picked by a private operator.

Mr Crow added: "The CalMac Hebridean and Clyde ferries are a vital part of the transport infrastructure of Scotland and we are asking for an absolute assurance from the Scottish Executive that there will be no cuts on any of the routes currently operated.

"We know that cuts are top of the political agenda as we move into the autumn and we are sending out a clear warning that any attempts to axe CalMac services will meet with fierce resistance.

"RMT have also repeatedly warned against the breaking up of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network as it is a major concern that the Scottish Government have not ruled this option out as part of their review of Scottish ferry services."

He said the union wants a "cast iron assurance" that there will be no reductions in the current service and the routes operated.

Paul Maloney, assistant general secretary of Nautilus International, said his members were fully behind the campaign, along with the RMT.

Oban based Caledonian MacBrayne Captain Norman Martin, said: "People's livelihoods are at stake. We deliver to these islands and we know them.

"This (ferry service reviews] has been going on for 25 years and the islanders are completely bamboozled by it. Every year there is another inquiry under different auspices."

Sandy Brunton, president of Mull and Iona Chamber of Commerce, said: "If the ferries are put under threat I think there would be an uproar.

"Every effort must be made to sustain services because it doesn't take much to upset the economy and social character of islands."

CalMac has spent an average of around 10 million a year over the last five years on vessels. However, the Scottish Government has estimated that 604m will be needed for new vessels between now and 2022, along with 180m to replace ports and harbours.

In addition, the maintenance of existing ports and harbours is expected to cost 7.5m a year for the next 12 years.