Talks aimed at averting a summer of strikes at Cal Mac ferries talk place on Wednesday.
The trade union representing ticket shore-
Some 55.6% out of 100 Cal Mac employees in the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) voted to take industrial action against the possibility of private company Serco taking over the routes.
The TSSA will join RMT officials as tense meetings taking place to try to thrash out a resolution to the dispute hanging over ferry services.
Friday's deadline looms closer for the recommencement of industrial action. Seafarers' union, RMT, suspended a planned strike two weeks ago for peace talks.
TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said it was now time for ministers to scrap their tendering policy.
Manuel Cortes said: "Both the people who work on the ferries and the communities they serve have made their feelings quite clear on this issue. They want this vital service kept in public hands.
"Ministers should start listening to the people they are meant to represent and stop blaming Brussels for this ham fisted decision."
Cal Mac ticket staff union start strike talks with ferry company
21 July 2015