Maritime unions fear break up of Scotlands ferries
Series of meetings to defend future of Scottish ferry services...

Shipping union RMT today confirmed details of a schedule of public meetings next week aimed at building support for the campaign to defend the future of Scottish ferries.

The Scottish Government review of ferry services is threatening privatisation and cuts in services, particularly the Clyde and Hebrides routes. The Government is examining the current structure and operation of existing routes and bundles which receive public subsidy. The meetings, organised in association with the Western Isles Trades Council and sister shipping union Nautilus, will give the public a chance to find out just how immediate the threat is to their life-line services and to plan a way forward for the campaign:

Monday November 29 – Bridge Centre, Stornoway, 7pm
Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary
Steve Todd, RMT National Secretary
Mark Dickinson, Nautilus International General Secretary
Stephen Boyd, STUC Assistant General Secretary

Tuesday November 30 – The Uists: An Caladh, Balivanich, 1pm
Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary
Steve Todd, RMT National Secretary
Alex Gordon, RMT President

Tuesday November 30 – Isle of Barra: Castlebay School, Barra 7:30pm.
Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary
Steve Todd, RMT National Secretary
Alex Gordon, RMT President

Wednesday December 1 – Isle of Arran: Ormidale Pavilion, Shore Road, Brodick, 7pm
Steve Todd, RMT National Secretary
Alex Gordon, RMT President
Mark Dickinson, Nautilus International General Secretary

Thursday December 2 – Rothesay: Main Hall, Rothesay Joint Campus, Town Head, 7pm
Alex Gordon, RMT President
Ian McIntyre, RMT Scottish Regional Organiser
Stephen Boyd, STUC Assistant Secretary


RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The threat of cuts and privatisation to Scotland’s lifeline ferry services is very real and the current climate of austerity measures has turned up the volume on the warning sirens in the communities where we have organised this schedule of meetings.

“The Scottish ferries are at severe risk of being broken up and cut to bits with some routes closed, others handed over for private profit and whatever remains left at the mercy of exploitation as cross subsidies are removed and fares are jacked up through the roof.

“The livelihoods of our members and their families are on the block and now is the time for the communities and the workforce to stand shoulder to shoulder to resist any attack on the ferry services which are such a vital component of the infrastructure of Scotland.”


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