MOUNT STUART - Clyde pilots (Photo: Frank Parsons)

Pilots vote for two day action over pay and conditions
Clydeport say shipping will continue despite strike...

Pilots on the Clyde have voted to strike on the 17th and 18th of this month over pay and conditions.

The action has the potential to cripple shipping on the Clyde when the eight pilots withdraw their services, affecting container vessels coming into Greenock Ocean Terminal and to docks in Glasgow and Clydebank further up river.

However Clydeport insist they have will have cover in place to ensure operations continue at the West of Scotland's principal ports.

The action is believed to be unprecedented in living memory but the pilots are said to be incensed by 'bullying and harrassment' by senior managers. Glasgow's Evening Times newspaper reported that one pilot had already been sacked before the ballot.

Attempts by Clydeport to introduce new conditions have soured relations between management and the pilots, who claim the port company is simply driving down wages.

Clydeport operates ports from Glasgow to Ardrossan handling a wide variety of cargoes from bulk goods such as animal feed, fertiliser, and cement to containers, project cargoes and forestry products.

At present there appears to be no cruise ship calls at Greenock on the dates affected.