Government support can help CalMac offer secure future for ferries

I AM glad to see that the CalMac strike has been called off; the intervention of the First Minister is welcome (“Workers call off stoppage after Calmac halts tendering process for routes”, The Herald, July 9). It is a pity that matters had to develop to such an advanced level but perhaps now the Scottish Government will reconsider its decision to go to tender.

In his Inside Track column (“Folly of failing to listen to ferry tendering alternative”, The Herald, July 8), Highland Correspondent David Ross writes: “In 2003 there was a ruling by the European Court of Justice in a case about German bus company Altmark in respect of subsidy/state aid. In 2004 CalMac received senior legal opinion that the Altmark decision allowed the Scottish Executive to stop tendering without fear of legal consequence.”

I am grateful to Mr Ross for reminding me of this and the advice offered to the Scottish Executive at the time. The present Government appear to decide on the basis of the Scottish Executive decision rather than on the legal advice given. That is a pity because in doing so it had precipitated the strike action which has just been averted for the time being at least.

I fully understand why CalMac staff are considering strike action. All they are seeking is that their current pay and conditions be agreed going forward. The problem is Serco. CalMac staff are very concerned that Serco might end up running the Western Isles ferries. So too should the people of the Western Isles. Serco does not have a good record (“Labour warning over CalMac privatisation”, The Herald, February 23); it has a history of problems, failures, errors and overcharging. Yet the Scottish Government deems this company suitable to bid for the west coast ferry services.

Surely no-one in the Outer Hebrides wishes to see Serco run our vital ferry services. And despite the Transport Minister’s protestations to the contrary, it will be privatisation if Serco wins the contract. Serco will wish to make a profit. That will be its priority. I fear there will be tampering with jobs, pay and conditions. Then, of course, cuts in service. Why on earth will Serco wish to run services that do not pay? Will it maintain the ships? Will it replace the ships? The Transport Minister’s offer to set up a Procurement Reference Panel is just the Scottish Government setting up a group of people to blame when the tendering process goes horribly wrong.

I am happy to have the contract remain with CalMac. For all that we criticise it, the company has years of experience in running our vital ferry services. If the Scottish Government gives CalMac the resources, and they in turn listen and respond to the people’s wishes, the ferry service in the future will be secure and improved. Angus McCormack, Member for Stornoway South on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, 25 North Street, Sandwick, Lewis.