31 August 2023
RMT Press Office
CalMac Ferries union RMT today welcomed the result of a public poll on the naming of one of the two delayed vessels on order from Ferguson Marine.
Hull 802, originally intended for introduction on CalMac’s Uig Triangle routes which link Skye, Harris and Noth Uist in 2018 will be named Glen Rosa in reference to a glen on the Isle of Arran, another island community on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry contract.
Mick Lynch, RMT General Secretary said: “This is a small but significant step for the island communities on Skye, North Uist and Harris and the CalMac staff forced to make do and mend in the five years which have passed since the Glen Rosa was originally supposed to have been delivered to CalMac.
"Ferguson Marine is due to provide its quarterly report in September on progress in delivering Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox to CalMac, when we will know just how far beyond the end of the current CHFS contract the Glen Rosa delivery date will have slipped.
"What CalMac workers and passengers most want to hear from the First Minister is that they will not force through a botched tendering process that will divert this massive investment in new ferries and harbour infrastructure into the pockets of private shareholders.
"RMT continue to call for a direct award of the next CHFS contract to CalMac to protect jobs, public services and public investment in these lifeline ferry services.”
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