FM and union in rail strikes plea

SCOTLAND’S First Minister and the STUC are urging the U K T r a n s p o r t Secretary to intervene immediately to help end the dispute which has been severely disrupting rail travel.

Nicola Sturgeon said Mark Harper must work with the trade unions to “secure a railway that benefits users, staff and the wider public”.

Rail passengers have been warned to expect disruption over the festive season as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport ( RMT) union employed by Network Rail walk out from 6pm on Christmas Eve until 6am on December 27 in a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

There will be more industrial action in the new year as RMT members at Network Rail and 14 train operators are planning to strike on January 3, 4, 6 and 7, while members of the drivers’ union Aslef at 15 train companies will walk out on January 5.

Ms Sturgeon said: “The Scottish Government has maintained constructive discussions with the trades unions and settled our own pay negotiations by embracing the concept of fair work.

“Despite this, passengers in Scotland still face severe disruption as a direct result of the ongoing UK- wide rail dispute between Network Rail, UK Government rail operators and the trade unions, and Network Rail employees in Scotland face entering the new year still with no pay rise.

“The repercussions of this dispute, and the UK Government’s refusal to engage constructively with the trade unions, are continuing to have a major impact not only for the rail workers but for passengers, freight, businesses and the wider public in Scotland over the festive period and into 2023. The Secretary of State for Transport must intervene immediately and work with the trades unions to secure a railway that benefits users, staff and the wider public.”

The dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, but is having a major impact on the train operator’s ability to provide services as the RMT industrial action involves Network Rail workers in Scotland. ScotRail has warned passengers the strike action in December will lead to “significant disruption”, with last trains earlier than usual on Christmas Eve, no Christmas Day or Boxing Day services, and later first trains on December 27.

Roz Foyer, STUC general secretary, said: “We all want to see an end to the rail dispute, and for workers to be awarded a fair pay offer that is not conditional on cuts to staffing and services.”

The UK Government has been asked for comment.