Ferry deep-clean after crew’s Covid tests
An islands ferry is to be deep-cleaned after three crew members tested positive for Covid-19.
The MV Isle of Lewis, which had been sailing between Barra and Oban, had to make its way back to Oban without any passengers.
Operator Caledonian MacBrayne said it would be deep-cleaned by a specialists.
The firm's operations director, Robert Morrison, said a relief crew would be brought into operate the vessel when it returns to service.
He said :" Three crew members from the MV Isle of Lewis have received positive tests for Covid- 19.
"Inline with strict proc ed ur es, the vessel was returned from Bar ra to O ban without passengers and will undergo a deep clean by a specialist company.
"A relief crew is being brought into operate the vessel once it returns safely to service.
“C al Mac crew work in strict bubble sin order to protect passengers and colleagues but anyone conce rn ed about potential symptoms should check the NHS Inform website.”
C al Mac said it was op erating a combined Castlebay/ Loch bois dale service for people travelling to Bar ra yesterday afternoon.
The move comes after a union warned that workers on Calmac ferry services could go on strike after recent pay talks broke down.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport( R MT) union is preparing to ballot staff for industrial action after two previous rounds of pay negotiations with the ferry firm.
A meeting with managing director Robbie Drummond and other trade unions is understood to have taken place on Friday, after which RMT said the company had failed to accept the offer which amounts to a pay cut for ferry crews and other workers.
R MT general secretary Mick Cash said :“Our ne goti at or shave tried over a series of meetings to get a cost of living award for essential lifeline ferry workers.
“Despite their best efforts again today, the Calmac managing director has given the same response as his management colleagues have issued from the first meeting on October 7.
"It’ s become increasingly apparent that Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government are putting pressure on Cal Mac to hold a line which will see our members financially disadvantaged. This is not acceptable to RMT and we will be balloting our members to secure financial fairness for members and their families in these uncertain times.”
Manuel Co rt es, general secretary of The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), said: “Calmac are behaving like Scrooge, offering what amounts to a pay cut just as people are thinking about Christmas.
“Clearly ,0.5 percent is a pal try offer to key workers who’ve kept the ferries running, bringing vital life line supplies to the island communities, in the middle of a global pandemic, "Mr Cortes added.