THE company bidding to take over CalMac’s Clyde ferry routes have told Inverclyde politicians there will be no compulsory redundancies if they win the contract.

Senior executives from Serco, who want to operate CalMac’s Clyde and Hebridean routes from October, were invited to a meeting called by Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil.

He had been concerned that no long-term assurances have ever been given to the workforce by Serco.

Mr McNeil, Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan and Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe met Serco’s UK central government chief executive Kevin Craven, the bid director for the routes, Jonathan Riley and non-executive director Ian Mullen.

The MSP welcomed the assurance about no compulsory redundancies, but said there were no absolute guarantees about other issues.

He said: “It was important we placed before them our concerns, for example about the future of the Gourock HQ, the workforce, the routes and CalMac’s links with Ferguson’s, who build ships for them, and Garvel Clyde drydock, who repair and maintain ferries.

“Serco said local supply chains and supporting local business was important to them, and that they will treat the workforce and the CalMac ‘branding’ sensitively.

“They would continue to use the Gourock HQ and CalMac name if they win the contract, but said they will make efficiencies.”

Tenders have to be submitted within five weeks, and the Scottish Government will make a decision a few weeks after the Scottish Parliament elections.

Mr Cowan said the discussion with Serco was ‘productive’.

He said: “Ultimately, my concern as Inverclyde’s MP is that jobs are retained here in Inverclyde, and I pressed them on this point. Therefore, their plans to continue to invest and develop infrastructures in Inverclyde is welcomed.”

Councillor McCabe said: “We sought, and were given, a number of assurances in relation to the location of the headquarters, job numbers and terms and conditions for employees.

"Serco very much consider themselves to be underdogs in the tender race. I hope they are right, as I would like to see this contract and the jobs that go with it retained in the public sector.”

Serco’s Mr Riley said: “We are keen to understand the issues that affect the local community.

“This was one of a series of meetings we have been holding with councillors and parliamentarians across Scotland over the last three months. 

“We believe we can improve the ferry services, and harness the knowledge and passion of the staff for the service and its rich heritage.”