CalMac port staff received a large amount of abuse for a problem not of their making from customers.
People vented their anger on Wednesday evening and yesterday morning on CalMac’s customer service personnel after Highland Council prevented all vehicles over 10 metres in length from transiting in and out of Uig on the first day of the Skye triangle route reopening following a ten week closure for pier upgrades.
The Skye pier is owned by Highland Council which gave assurances it was ready to go back into service when it wasn’t.
Modifications later allowed affected vehicles to drive off the linkspan from the ferry but negotiating the turn from the opposite direction is still not possible.
CalMac staff did their best to assist passengers switch bookings but were verbally abused by a number of people.
The ferry firm’s policy on unacceptable behaviour is that any aggression or abuse directed towards employees will not be tolerated.
Aggressive or abusive behaviour includes language -
Consequences of such behaviour may result in the offending passenger being refused travel or being reported to police.
CalMac front line staff bear the brunt of passengers’ frustration
23 March 2023