Barra race appeal

The organisers of Barra's half marathon race have appealed to the RMT union to provide a ferry to allow the event to go-ahead this weekend.

The uncertainty over timetables and an anticipated backlog of ferry traffic means people are not guaranteed in travelling to Barra until Sunday.

Friday's round-island race - which is in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support - is threatened as hundreds of mainland competitors are unable to get there due to the strike.

The strike will hit on the same day mainland runners have booked the ferry to get to the volunteer-run round-island Barrathon race, which is fundraising for MacMillan Cancer support.

Race organisers have asked islanders to support their plea for a derogation to allow a special ferry to sail or to call off the strike by e-mailing the RMT.

They suggest people could send the text of their own letter.

Organisers wrote:

I am writing in support of the community of the Isle of Barra in relation to the proposed ferry strike which your union is calling on Friday 26th June 2015.

The threat of disruption to ferry services on one of the busiest weekends of the year in terms of tourist traffic and trade is already causing untold damage to our fragile island economy.

The consequences of the action that you have called for include:

• An island half marathon run by volunteers for charity, including MacMillan Cancer support, having to bear heavy financial losses, as a result of almost 300 registered runners being unable to travel to the event;

• Island accommodation providers, on the one sell-out weekend of the year, having to bear financial loss as a result of cancelled bookings;

• Local businesses, including retail outlets and food providers, being unable to capitalise on the very substantial population boost that this weekend of events provides for a small community of just over 1,100 individuals.

We are not without sympathy about the plight that ferry workers face in the uncertain times of a tender process. We agree that there needs to be parity in this process.

But Cal Mac and the Scottish Government have publicly declared their willingness to engage in discussions and work together to address concerns over this process.

You have been offered assurances on Cal Mac’s commitment to no compulsory redundancies and protection of terms and conditions in their bid submission.

So, why are you persisting in calling this damaging strike? What can you say to the islanders and visitors that are going to lose out this weekend to convince them that this action is warranted?

Please don’t put politics over people. Please show these island communities some respect and call off this strike action.

"Save our race" appeal to RMT

23 June 2015