CLYDE & HEBRIDES FERRY SERVICES

That this House notes the current dispute between RMT members and Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) over concerns about future operations of services and employment terms and conditions linked to the tendering process of Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) currently operated by Calmac; further notes that these services were first put out to tender in 2005 by the then Scottish Executive and that repeated attempts by the Government since then to exempt ferry services from the tendering process have been unsuccessful; supports Calmac workers for the work and services that they provide and calls for their concerns to be addressed; further notes that the private sector corporation, Serco is bidding for the CHFS contract; and believes that the interests of islanders, tourism and the Scottish economy would be best served by these vital lifeline ferry services continuing to be operated under a publicly owned operator.