Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 19 May 2000 For Use: Immediately

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has asked the Transport Minister Sarah Boyack to use her influence to prevent strike action on Western Isles ferry routes.

In a letter to Ms. Boyack, Convener Alex MacDonald, says: "I would ask you to bring your own Ministerial influence to bear in order that a damaging dispute can be avoided."

In separate letters to the Seafarers' Union Numast and Caledonian MacBrayne, The Chairman of Transportation, Norman A. Macdonald has also urged both parties in the ongoing dispute between management and Western Isles officers of Caledonian MacBrayne to 'carefully consider the devastating effect which industrial action will have on the Western Isles' if proposed strike action takes place over a four day period.

The Transportation Chairman has also asked both sides to "to explore every possible avenue in seeking to reach agreement on this issue without recourse to damaging industrial action".

Speaking today, Norman A. Macdonald, said:

"Even the threat of this type of action is having a detrimental effect on the islands and our economy and again I appeal to both sides in this dispute to find a solution before more damage is done to the people of the Western Isles.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer