FERRY operator CalMac will cancel nearly two thirds of its scheduled services on Friday in the face of strike action by the RMT union.
The operator said it expected to run ten of its 27 routes as normal or to an amended timetable. In total CalMac say it will still be able to carry around 40 per cent of normal passenger capacity across its network during the strike action.
Worst affected routes will be those serviced by the company's larger vessels including the Outer Hebrides, Mull, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree and Islay.
But a number of the smaller routes that attract large numbers of passengers will operate as normal.
Ardrossan-Brodick sailings are running normally today but will be cancelled tomorrow, while services between Largs and Cumbrae will run to a revised timetable on Friday.
The Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferry will operate a passenger service only, without vehicles, on Friday.
Other services which will be cancelled on Friday are: Mallaig-Armadale; Oban-Craignure; Oban-Colonsay; Ardrossan-Campbeltown; Barra-Eriskay; Tarbert-Portavadie; Uig-Tarbert; Ullapool-Stornoway; Uig-Lochmaddy; Berneray-Leverburgh;Mallaig-Small Isles; Ullapool-Stornoway Freight.
Passengers are being urged to check the CalMac website for latest service information before travelling, but the following services are expected to run on Friday: Large-Cumbrae Slip; Tobermory-Kilchoan; Claonaig-Lochranza; Colintraive-Rhubodach; Tayinloan-Gigha; Fionnphort-Iona; Oban-Lismore; Lochaline-Fishnish; Sconser-Raasay;
CalMac's managing director, Martin Dorchester, said: "It is not too late for agreement to be reached. I would urge RMT members thinking about striking tomorrow to go back to their union and ask them to think again about the consequences this action will have on their own communities.
"Our door continues to remain open to reach a satisfactory conclusion that suits all parties and avoids this unnecessary action.
"Although it looks like this action will be limited in scope, it will undoubtedly still hit the communities we serve hard. It is not just an inconvenience at the start of the tourist season it will impact island businesses where it hurts most, in their pockets.
"We will continue to work to mitigate as much as possible any disruption for the travelling public and I would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank passengers for their patience during this time."
It comes as a motion tabled at the Scottish Parliament by independent MSP for the Highlands and Islands, John Finnie, backing the RMT's fight to protect jobs, pay and public ownership attracted cross-party support.
SNP MSP John Mason supported the motion along with former SNP members, now independent, John Wilson and Jean Urquhart.
Labour MSPs Neil Findlay, David Stewart, Elaine Smith, Anne McTaggart, Cara Hilton also backed the industrial action, which began with around half CalMac's workforce refusing to do overtime on Wednesday and today and will end with a strike tomorrow.
The crews wanted a guarantee that there will be no job cuts or changes to pay and pensions after the company's routes were opened to competitive tender.
Private firm Serco is bidding against incumbent CalMac Ferries Ltd for the new contract, which will begin in October 2016 and could last up to eight years.
The Scottish Government said it was obliged to undertake the tendering process in line with European rules.
General Secretary Mick Cash said: "It is clear that the CalMac workers, locked into a battle for the very future of these lifeline ferry services, are drawing in broad political and public support as the issues at the heart of the dispute are exposed and the smokescreen of misinformation melts away.
"There are now no excuses. The assurances on jobs, staffing, safety and the future of the ferry services that RMT has been seeking from the start should be met as a matter of urgency to allow us to move forwards with security and certainty.
"RMT members are rock solid in their support for the action we have been forced to take to defend CalMac from an unnecessary and damaging attack and the ball is now firmly in CalMac's court and we expect them to act swiftly now.
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