A debate is to take place on calls to nationalise the lifeline Northlink ferry services to Orkney and Shetland – and include taking the inter-island ferry operations in to public ownership.
The RMT transport union is in favour of the inter-island services, currently funded and provided by local councils, to be included in an overall nationalised contract which includes the Northlink Serco operation.
The meeting, planned next month, in Orkney is being called by the RMT in light of the Scottish Government’s announcement it will decide by spring whether it will re-tender the next Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS) contract.
Mick Cash, the RMT general secretary, said: “Rather than subsidise privateers for a worsening service these lifeline ferries need to be brought into public ownership so they operate in the best interests of the people who use them.”
And national secretary Steve Todd added: “Northern Isles communities deserve lower fares, more frequent sailings and improved on-board services, on properly staffed and funded vessels.
“We believe a growing and more reliable service can only be achieved through public ownership and operation.”
In 2016, the fleet of five Serco Northlink vessels carried over 300,000 passengers and over 60,000 vehicles on three routes.
Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie, who has also been invited to the debate, said: “The lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles should be run exclusively in the public interest, as happens the Clyde and Hebrides routes operated by CalMac.
“Serco, like any other multi-national, has a statutory obligation to generate profits for its shareholders to whom the idea of ‘public service’ means nothing.
“The mantra of ‘public service not private profit’ is very apt for the Northern Isles routes. The Scottish Green Party will continue to campaign for publicly-owned and operated ferries to Orkney and Shetland.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The Scottish Government intends to award ferry contracts directly to public sector operators in the future, if certain criteria can be met and subject to the views of local communities. A policy review on this issue is currently on-going.”
Speakers invited to the meeting in Kirkwall, Orkney, also include transport minister Humza Yousaf and representatives from Serco Northlink.
A request was made to Serco Northlink for a comment, but there was no response.