Serco “disappointed” over strike

Serco NorthLink is “disappointed” that the industrial action is disrupting their ferry services today, Friday.

Stuart Garrett, managing director of Serco NorthLink, said: “Despite our best efforts up until late yesterday evening, the RMT again failed to respond. We remain disappointed that industrial action means ferry services to the Northern Isles will be disrupted this weekend and potentially over the festive period. Dialogue has been re-established this morning and Serco remains willing to communicate, as we have throughout.”

“On the Hjaltland, currently weather bound in Lerwick, only 8 of the 41 crew members affected are currently participating in industrial action.

“We have worked hard to minimise disruption to our freight and passenger customers. We have been in touch with our freight customers with details of our amended timetable which maintains freight service continuity. We have also tried hard to contact all those booked on disrupted passenger sailings and advised them to transfer to alternative sailings.

“With regard to the Pentland Firth crossing we have ensured our customers can be transferred to services operated by other providers.”