Union leader calls on Scottish Government to create ‘people’s CalMac’

A trade union boss is urging the Scottish Government to create a “people’s CalMac” by taking ferry services in the Clyde and Hebrides into permanent public ownership.

Mick Lynch of the RMT trade union insisted such a move, coupled with “proper investment” in services could help “stave off a full-blown ferry crisis”.

CalMac’s current contract to operate ferries on lifeline routes to the islands off the west coast of Scotland expires in September 2024 – having been awarded in 2016 for “up to eight years”.

But with the RMT stating the deadline to put the routes out for tender again had now passed, Mr Lynch said that the Scottish Government should not do that, but should instead “commit to a permanently publicly owned people’s CalMac with proper investment and the exclusion of private profit”.

The RMT general secretary said: “The last thing that communities and workers need is for the Scottish Government to launch a bidding war for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry contract which could encourage companies like P&O and Serco to enter a race to bottom.

“People relying on lifeline ferries need certainty over jobs, training and services.

“And the Scottish Government must work with stakeholders to stave off a full-blown ferry crisis in lifeline communities and to implement a long-term plan for the future of these critically important public services.”

Mr Lynch, who is to address MSPs at Holyrood at a meeting on Tuesday evening, added: “We do not believe there is any legal requirement for the Scottish Government to be compelled to re-tender the Clyde and Hebrides ferry contract.

“The Scottish Government needs to commit to a permanently publicly owned people’s CalMac with proper investment and the exclusion of private profit.

“This would allow for successful long-term planning for improved services and resilience with a direct voice for CalMac workers and passengers.”

Some island communities have already suffered disruption and route cancellations this year, as CalMac waits for six new ferries to be built to bolster its aging fleet.

They include two ferries currently being constructed at at the Ferguson marine shipyard in Port Glasgow, which are years late and are set to cost about three times the original budget.

Speaking about these two vessels, the Glen Sannox and the as yet unnamed Hull 802, Labour MSP Richard Leonard, the covenor of the Scottish Parliament’s RMT group, said it was important to “listen much more to the experienced voice of the workers”.

Mr Leonard said: “If the Scottish Government had listened to those who work in Port Glasgow instead of hiring ex-rear admirals, turnaround directors and endless consultants we could have avoided these ferries being five years late and three and a half times over budget.”