Rail union calls off its weekend strike

A planned strike by rail workers for this weekend has been called off by a union.

They were due to walk out over a row about ScotRail CCTV-monitoring staff, some of whom are based in Paisley.

The TSSA union said it has called off its planned strike tomorrow following a new offer by ScotRail that will allow for further talks.

The union claimed CCTV staff are overstretched after acceptance of 17 applications for voluntary redundancy from specialist staff.

It had also criticised plans to impose new compulsory night shifts on employees whose family and child care commitments meant they could not work nights.

The TSSA said it will continue negotiating with ScotRail to keep the CCTV unit properly staffed and Scotland’s rail network guarded.

However, the RMT union still plans to strike over the issue.

Its members at Paisley say they will refuse to book on for shifts starting between 12.01am and 11.59pm on Saturday, May 5, and between 6am on Monday, June 11, and 5.59am on June 12.

Scotrail said it welcomed the TSSA’s comments and added that it had measures in place to deal with any potential strike action.

David Lister, ScotRail Alliance sustainability and safety assurance director said:“We welcome TSSA’s comments and will continue our discussions with them this week. We have robust contingency measures in place to make sure any potential action has no impact on customer service.

“Trains will run as normal over the weekend and for the Scottish Cup Final.

“The safety of our employees and customers is our priority.”