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Ships' crews at CalMac have voted for strike action in a dispute over jobs, pensions and working conditions.

 

Members of the seafarers’ union RMT voted 92% for strike action and 98% for action short of a strike. Turnout was 60% turnout.

 

55% of the total number eligible to vote voted yes for strike action and 58% of total eligible voted yes for action short of a strike.

 

Ship's officers are not going on strike as they belong to a different union.

 

Seagoing crews fear their wages and pensions will be squeezed for Cal Mac to lodge a tighter priced tender for a forthcoming competitive tender for the west coast ferry network.

 

Even a handful of ratings going on strike could stop an undermanned ferry from sailing.

 

The RMT said Cal Mac had failed to provide satisfactory reassurances over job security, conditions of service, pensions and continuity of lifeline ferry services for remote communities and businesses.

 

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The failure to give our members the most basic assurances meant that RMT had no alternative but to ballot CalMac members for strike action and industrial action short of strike action, in order to secure our members' rights during this period of increasing uncertainty and insecurity."

 

“That ballot has now concluded and members have delivered a massive and solid mandate for action.

 

“RMT remains available for serious and constructive talks aimed at resolving this dispute.”

Ferry crews vote for strike

9 June 2015