Seafarers' union RMT is holding a demonstration at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday to demand that the west coast ferry services be retained in public ownership.
Cal Mac Ferries Limited and Serco Caledonian Ferries Limited are rivals for a £1 billion subsidy to run the ferry route network.
The contract will cover services to 22 islands in the Western Isles, Inner Hebrides as well as the Argyll and Clyde communities for eight years from October 2016.
In the summer Cal Mac crews took industrial action over fears about job losses, cuts
to income and pensions in the face of transferring state-
RMT
general secretary Mick Cash said: “The fight is now on to save Cal Mac’s lifeline
Clyde and Hebrides services from being snatched away by Serco.
"The idea that this company are fit to run our public services is ridiculous and
the truth is that they shouldn’t even be in the frame for these ferry routes.
“RMT
continues to press for the tendering timetable to be sharpened up to allow for an
announcement before the elections next year so that the public can judge the merits
of any decision for themselves.
"There is no excuse for delaying the announcement which has huge implications for the communities which rely on these ferry services."
RMT union to stage demonstration over ferry tender
22 November 2015