RMT launches campaign for a people’s CalMac

24 March 2022

RMT Press Office:

Day of action in Oban tomorrow

Ferry Union RMT has today launched a new campaign for a People’s CalMac, starting with a day of action in Oban at 11am on Friday 25thMarch. RMT is calling for the Scottish Government to invest in creating a publicly owned and operated ferry service that delivers reliable, more affordable services and which gives communities and workers a greater say in the running of the service.

The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service operated by CalMac expires in September 2024. RMT is opposed to privatisation of Scotland’s ferries and believes that these services must be publicly owned and operated, putting communities and passengers before profit.

The People’s CalMac campaign is calling for:

More investment – for more reliable, frequent and extra services.
More affordable – with fairer ferry fares, including for commercial drivers.
More of a say – with a stronger voice for communities, passengers and workers.
More good jobs – already employing 1700 people, CalMac is at the heart of Clyde and Hebrides communities, as well as Scotland’s maritime industry.

RMT CalMac members and activists are launching the campaign tomorrow Friday 25th from 11:00am at Oban Ferry Terminal, PA34 4LE and are calling on passengers to sign the Union’s petition and write to their MSP and Councillor in support of a People’s CalMac.

General Secretary Mick Lynch said:

“CalMac ferries is a national asset providing lifeline services for many communities in Scotland. CalMac has a vital role to play in supporting the economic recovery of communities from Covid-19 but it needs sustained public investment to deliver the reliable, affordable and clean services necessary for this.

That’s why RMT has launched a campaign for a People’s CalMac, starting with a day of action tomorrow in Oban. We are calling on the Scottish Government to invest in creating a publicly owned and operated ferry service that delivers reliable, more affordable services and frequent services and which gives communities and workers a greater say in the running of the service. The cost of procurement failure, such as those outlined by Audit Scotland yesterday must not deter Ministers from meeting the needs of workers or passengers.

We are calling on passengers, communities and politicians to join our campaign for publicly owned and operated services that put people before profit and deliver the lifeline ferry services that Scotland’s communities require.”