SCOTTISH Labour and transport union RMT are challenging a threat to privatise vital ferry services to the Western Isles.

A consultation paper commissioned by the Scottish government has revealed a proposal to break up Caldeonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ferry services linking the mainland and the Western Isles rather than run them as a single operation under public ownership.

CalMac operates 34 ferries to 30 island destinations, including the Hebrides. Many vessels are ageing and in need of replacement.

RMT, which represents ferry crews, has called for a meeting with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and is demanding that the SNP at Holyrood stands by a pledge to run the ferries under public ownership.

General secretary Mick Lynch said the union had been “warning for months” that the Scottish government’s Project Neptune for ferry services “means privatisation of Scotland’s lifeline Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.” 

“Our CalMac members already faced a perfect storm from the ageing fleet, Covid risks, severe winter weather and the cold shoulder from SNP ministers,” he said.

“It’s imperative that the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the new transport minister Jenny Gilruth get around the table with RMT to allay our concern that the Scottish government has changed its policy and is now seeking to privatise CalMac services.”

West Scotland MSP Katy Clark has also submitted a motion to Holyrood demanding that privatisation be ruled out.

“Reports that the Scottish government is considering privatisation are deeply worrying,” she said. “This is not something workers and island and coastal communities are calling for.

“The notion that multiple operators grasping for what little profit can be made will address the current crisis, with sailings frequently cancelled at short notice, is absurd.

“This lifeline public service is in the crippled state it is in because of years of underinvestment, with very few vessels commissioned in the last 15 years.

“The Scottish government should honour its commitments, keep CalMac public and come forward with a serious strategy to build and commission new vessels here in Scotland.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The consultants were given a wider remit to look at all possible options around delivery of ferry services. 

“This included decentralised models. The report has yet to be finalised and no decisions [have been] taken on any of the options at this point.”