Passengers facing rail strike chaos in CCTV row

UNION chiefs are threatening to plunge rail travellers into chaos in a dispute over plans to replace an outdated security camera system.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is opposing a ScotRail plan to modernise CCTV systems that help keep passengers safe, in a move that will make 22 jobs redundant.

Union members have overwhelmingly backed calls to consider industrial action, despite assurances that all 22 staff will be offered a voluntary redundancy package or a job elsewhere.

It is understood that the security camera systems, monitored from customer service centres in Paisley and Dunfermline, are considered to be ‘cumbersome’ and ‘past their sell-by date’. But RMT general secretary Mick Cash insisted the move would jeopardise passenger safety and said members had voted nineto-one in favour of strike action.

He added: ‘It is shocking, at a time of unprecedented terror threats across the nation, that ScotRail have decided to jeopardise the safety of the general public through these CCTV job cuts.

‘These security posts are crucial to providing a safe and secure railway network and RMT will not sit back while ScotRail gambles with the safety of both staff and passengers.

‘The union’s executive will now consider the next steps and we remain available for talks.’

The CCTV upgrade comes as part of an overhaul of the computer system, which sends information about trains, cancellations and changes to stations, trains and staff across the country.

It is understood that the two customer service centres do not work on a common IT system, meaning that messages sent across the country are often confused.

The upgrade is also designed to remove time-consuming tasks performed by staff at the centres, such as checking the status of each individual security camera every day.

The RMT says ‘strenuous efforts’ have been made to come to an arrangement with ScotRail but it has ‘drawn a blank at every stage’.

Scottish Labour’s transport spokesman Neil Bibby said: ‘These CCTV workers in Paisley and Dunfermline carry out extremely important jobs in protecting the travelling public across Scotland, day in, day out.

‘Twenty-two workers can cover hundreds of trains and protect thousands of passengers every week – ensuring that if a passenger has an accident, they get the help they need. The workforce is warning that plans for job losses and restructuring will make it harder for them to keep passengers safe.

‘It is time for ScotRail and the Scottish Government to listen and address those concerns.’

A ScotRail spokesman said last night: ‘We have a no compulsory redundancy policy, which we fully intend to honour. We continue to discuss this issue with our staff and the unions in order to reach agreement on a way forward.’

The dispute comes just a year after ScotRail finally reached an agreement in principle with the RMT to end a dispute over driveronly trains.

ScotRail said it had given a guarantee that a conductor would be retained on board new trains being introduced next year.

‘Jeopardise safety of the public’