The Scottish Government review of ferry services is threatening privatisation and cuts in services, particularly the Clyde and Hebrides routes. The Government is examining the current structure and operation of existing routes and bundles which receive public subsidy. The meetings, organised in association with the Western Isles Trades Council and sister shipping union Nautilus, will give the public a chance to find out just how immediate the threat is to their life-line services and to plan a way forward for the campaign:

Thursday December 2 – Rothesay: Main Hall, Rothesay Joint Campus, Town Head, 7pm


Alex Gordon, RMT President

Ian McIntyre, RMT Scottish Regional Organiser

Stephen Boyd, STUC Assistant Secretary

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The threat of cuts and privatisation to Scotland’s lifeline ferry services is very real and the current climate of austerity measures has turned up the volume on the warning sirens in the communities where we have organised this schedule of meetings.

“The Scottish ferries are at severe risk of being broken up and cut to bits with some routes closed, others handed over for private profit and whatever remains left at the mercy of exploitation as cross subsidies are removed and fares are jacked up through the roof.

“The livelihoods of our members and their families are on the block and now is the time for the communities and the workforce to stand shoulder to shoulder to resist any attack on the ferry services which are such a vital component of the infrastructure of Scotland.”