A huge majority of the Scottish public want Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services to remain in the public sector, according to a recent survey.
The poll showed nearly two thirds of Scottish voters think the routes should remain
the public sector -
The poll also found that six out of ten Scots supported the right of Cal Mac workers to take industrial action to defend staffing levels, jobs and pensions from the threat of privatisation.
Only one in five oppose Cal Mac workers.
Some 1,084 adults in Scotland were interviewed online last week by Survation.
The poll was released following the decision by the Scottish Government to defer to end of the month the issuing of the Invitation to Tender documents for the CalMac services following discussions with the RMT.
The union today vowed to step up its campaign to keep Cal Mac in the public sector and do whatever was necessary to defend its member’s jobs and conditions as talks continue.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The fact that nearly two thirds of Scottish voters support RMT’s campaign to keep Cal Mac as a public service within the public sector is a massive boost for our fight to defend these lifeline ferry routes."
He added: “The message from the general public could not be clearer and is backed up by broad political support for public ownership of Cal Mac.
"The union expects those overseeing the tendering process to take this resounding, independent polling fully into account and to secure the future of CalMac in the public sector.”
Overall, some 64% of the people polled said the Scottish government should keep ferry services publicly operated. 11% want a private operator while 25% said they didn't know.
58% of people said they supported the right of CalMac workers to take industrial action. 20% oppose industrial action and 22% had no opinion.
Survey shows public support for Cal Mac crew strikes
14 July 2015