TRANSPORT union RMT ramped up pressure on Scotland’s ferry bosses yesterday amid an ongoing dispute over pay.

The union is urging Calmac, which operates services between the Scottish mainland and islands off the west coast, to enter talks mediated by conciliation service Acas.

Workers have been pushing for a new pay offer that recognises how they have been risking their own health and safety during the Covid- 19 pandemic to keep island communities supplied with essential goods.

RMT representatives said that the company must get serious about reaching a negotiated settlement, following the failure of previous negotiations.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash called on Calmac yesterday to restart talks, adding: “If this means they need to make the justifiable case to the Scottish government to reach agreement on a fair and reasonable pay award for their workforce, then they need to get on and do exactly that.”