Orkney Ferries dispute: 'Positive talks' with unions and Acas 21 August 2013 Last updated at 11:52 A long-running dispute between ferry crews and their employers in Orkney could be a step closer to being resolved. Orkney Ferries and the three unions involved in the action released a joint statement following talks under the auspices of arbitration service Acas. It described the meeting as both "positive" and "constructive." Members of Unite, the RMT and Nautilus International will now be balloted. An offer has been made by the council-owned ferry company during the talks. Orkney Ferries provides an inter-island service on nine routes between Orkney and 13 island destinations and operates about 20,000 sailings each year.