Steve Todd: "Moved the goalposts"

The dispute centres on the pay and conditions of pier workers, who have asked for less hours and more money to bring them into line with their colleagues on the Western Isles routes.

Four of the firm's ferries have been berthed following the rejection of a 3.5% pay rise.

The rise, however, was approved by staff operating the Western Isles routes.

A company spokesman said 164 of the crew and pier hands, who are members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), were taking part in the action.

He said: "Talks have been ongoing for the past four to six weeks. They are part of the annual pay settlement, but we only got notice of industrial action last night."

'Self-funding'

The spokesman said the firm could not meet a request to cut staff hours without the loss of pay, which would be equivalent to pay rises for some staff of between 15% and 30%.

"The union know they have to bring us something which is self-funding and reasonable.

"They came back to us and asked to cut back their time by four hours while still keeping their pay, which would mean we have to pay someone else four hours overtime. We couldn't afford that."

Steve Todd, of the RMT, said: "What we're looking for is an improvement to the offer that's been made to the shore staff in the Clyde.

The strike is affecting businesses

"We've made concessions and we've been accused of moving the goalposts.

"Yes, we've moved the goalposts in an attempt to resolve the dispute."

The strike is affecting many people and businesses in the week leading up to Christmas.

Ian McChlery, owner of the Island Cheese Company in Brodick, said his business on Arran was dependent on the ferry service and that the action was badly timed.

He said: "The transport system is all to blazes and we just have to wait and see what is going to happen.

"Fortunately we saw this coming and brought in what we needed yesterday but we have got stuff coming in on Thursday and Friday and we were supposed to be sending out a shipment tomorrow."

He added: "It should be busy for the next fortnight but with the strike we don't know what's going to happen."

'Generosity of spirit'

Brian Wilson, MP for the Arran and Cumbrae area, said that industrial relations between Caledonian MacBrayne and employees had always been poor.

He described the strike as a "primitive way to address industrial relations" and called for it to be abandoned immediately.

Mr Wilson said: "It is totally wrong to inflict this hardship on innocent people and communities, particularly at this time of year.

"A little generosity of spirit is required on both sides to get the ferries sailing again while discussions continue."