RMT members vote for strikes in ScotRail dispute

RMT members working for ScotRail are to hold five one-day and one two-day strikes throughout June and July, in an ongoing dispute over the extension of Driver Only Operation (DOO).

The strikes start at 0001 and finish at 2359. The first day of action was due to take place on June 21 (after this issue of RAIL went to press) and then on June 23 and July 3/10/17. A two-day strike will run from 0001 on June 25 to 2359 on June 26.

Overtime bans will take place on June 22, June 24, June 27-July 2, July 11-July 16 and July 18-July 23, although the RMT’s press release incorrectly described the last date as July 16.

The results of a ballot announced on June 7 revealed a 386-strong majority (of the 411 who voted) in favour of industrial action short of a strike, with 311 in favour of strike action. The turnout was 75%.

The union wants a commitment from ScotRail not to extend DOO, and not to reduce or abolish the safety role of conductors, or reduce or abolish their role in door operation. It claims ScotRail has “refused to answer” questions about the extension of DOO over the life of the franchise, and that new Hitachi trains will have controls for guards to operate doors.

ScotRail claims safety concerns raised by the RMT about driver dispatch “do not stand up”, and says 60% of passengers who travel on trains in Scotland do so on services with doors controlled by drivers. On the new Hitachi fleet, RAIL understands the company has the option to fit door control panels should it decide to do so.

SR spokesman Alison McHarg said: “We have already said that any changes we might make in the future would guarantee the role of the conductor, their jobs, their pay and their terms and conditions. We simply cannot understand why the RMT seem so intent on dragging us, our customers and our people into a dispute.

“We held constructive talks with the RMT on June 10 and look forward to continuing these on June 15. We remain convinced that talking - not strike action - is in the best interests of everyone involved.”