FERRY services face fresh disruption after CalMac ticket office staff and managers voted to strike in protest over a tendering process that could hand the operation to the private sector.
Members of the TSSA union, which represents 100 ticket office staff and managers at CalMac, have voted by 55.6 per cent in favour of a walkout.
It comes days after a planned 24-hour strike by RMT members among the CalMac ferry crews was called off when the Scottish Government agreed to put the tendering process on hold.
The unions are unhappy that private firm, Serco, has been shortlisted alongside the incumbent public sector operator, CalMac, for the new ferries contract due to begin in October 2016.
They have accused ministers of trying to privatise the ferry service "by the back door", and fear that privatisation would result in job cuts and increased fares.
TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said it was now time for Ministers to scrap their tendering policy.
He said: "Both the people who work on the ferries and the communities they serve have made their feelings quite clear on this issue. They want this vital service kept in public hands.
"Ministers should start listening to the people they are meant to represent and stop blaming Brussels for this ham fisted decision."
The Scottish Government said it was obliged to put the CalMac contract out for competitive tender in line with EU rules, but critics have disputed this.
Ministers have halted the tendering process until July 31 pending the outcome of further talks with the unions.
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