Ferries office staff praised during strike

The treatment of Orkney Ferries office staff, by some members of the public, during the ongoing industrial action on board the North Isles boats has been described as “completely unacceptable.”

Commenting after a meeting of the ferry consultative committee, the chairman, Councillor James Stockan, said: “We all expressed great disappointment at the way the office staff have been treated by some members of the public.

“The transport representatives from the isles were in complete agreement with me that some of the behaviour that the staff have had to cope with has been completely unacceptable and joined me in expressing that this was no way to treat a group of people who have worked so hard, at very short notice, to manage the effects of disruption.”

He added: “I’d like to thank the office staff for the big effort they’ve made throughout the dispute to keep customers informed and to minimise disruption for the travelling public. It is recognised that this is a difficult and frustrating time for everyone involved – and the patience and co-operation of the majority of customers is much appreciated.”