WORKERS on the Argyll Ferries Gourock to Dunoon route have voted for strike action.

Union bosses warn that a walkout is imminent, causing disruption for passengers.

There was an 82 per cent response to the ballot — 23 papers were sent out and 19 came back, with 18 members in favour of working to rule and going on strike.

The dispute is over pensions, terms and conditions and job security linked to the current tender process for the right to run services on the Clyde and elsewhere.

Gordon Martin, RMT regional organiser for Scotland and Nothern Ireland, said: “We will begin discussions internally within the union and we will make a decision over what to do.

“This action will be sooner rather than later due to the severity of the issues. It could be within the next week.” A 24-hour walkout took place on 26 June when CalMac took action, affecting the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay crossing which operated on a passenger only basis. Private company Serco is competing to operate the Clyde and Hebridean ferry routes, and the RMT want guarantees on terms and conditions, staffing levels and pensions.

Argyll Ferries are not involved in this tender but the offshoot ferry firm is owned by CalMac parent company David MacBrayne Ltd.

Union chief Mr Martin said: “Argyll Ferries are not part of this but CalMac provide the engineering, management and maritime expertise and without that we’ve got a problem.” Union bosses are due to meet for peace talks with CalMac over the dispute.

But Mr Martin said: “CalMac have been dreadfully slow in coming to the table. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.

“It makes me start to wonder if they are serious about resolving these issues.” The chief executive of David MacBrayne Ltd, Argyll Ferries’ parent company, Martin Dorchester said: “The Argyll Ferries contract is not up for tender and no employee terms and conditions are under threat. So, we are slightly bemused about why RMT members within the company are taking this action and what it is that they want to achieve.

“We are more than happy to discuss their concerns at any time, our door is always open, but would urge them strongly to reconsider this course of potential industrial action. It is not in anyone’s interests.”