11TH-HOUR DEAL HALTS RAIL STRIKE

Feared chaos during Cop26 averted as staff win hike in pay

AN ELEVENTH hour-deal last night staved off strike action on the railways, averting travel chaos during Cop26.

The last-ditch agreement was reached between union bosses and ScotRail in a move which will result in a pay rise and bonuses for members.

The announcement was made hours after the original 5pm deadline had passed

Critics accused the Scottish Government of making ‘a mess’ of the railway service and treating workers with contempt.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘Following further discussions between RMT and ScotRail an agreement has been reached and the proposals have been accepted by the union.

‘As the disputes are resolved, strike action has been cancelled and RMT members have been advised to work normally.’

The 13-day summit, to be attended by world leaders and thousands of delegates, begins on Sunday. A rail strike could have had chaotic consequences.

Contingency plans had been drawn up by ScotRail, but the prospect of mass cancellations and a skeleton service between

‘Railway chaos has been avoided’

Edinburgh and Glasgow had loomed large. Confirmation industrial action had been called off after weeks of gruelling discussions proved a relief for organisers.

The RMT had called for a 2.5 per cent pay rise backdated to April and demanded a ‘Cop26 payment’ for all staff who work through the conference.

These conditions were met, with a £300 bonus for those working during Cop26.

Ian McConnell, ScotRail chief operating officer, said: ‘We have reached a pay agreement with the RMT trade union that resolves strike action.

‘We look forward to Scotland’s railway playing its part in delivering a successful Cop26 next week.’

Transport Minister Graeme Dey had been facing calls to quit if he failed to secure a deal between the RMT and ScotRail.

Last night the Government was criticised for failing to intervene sooner, meaning potential for chaos on the railways ran to only four days before Cop26 kicks off.

Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson, said: ‘It’s welcome that rail chaos has been avoided at the eleventh hour. We had repeatedly called for the SNP Government to intervene sooner, but this deal is better late than never.

‘Now that all parties have reached an agreement it is vital that services and information for people across Glasgow is ramped up in readiness for Cop26 next week.’

Other unions had accepted a previous deal offering a 2.5 per cent increase this year, 2.2 per cent in 2022 and a one-off £300 bonus for staff working during Cop26.

Last night they too agreed to the new deal on offer.

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Neil Bibby accused the Government of treating rail workers with ‘contempt’, and claimed it was the risk of ‘embarrassment’ on the world stage which led to the desperate attempts to strike a deal at the final minute.

Mr Bibby said: ‘This eleventh hour deal may help the SNP save face but it won’t fix the mess they’ve made of our railways.

‘However welcome the pay deal is, it doesn’t undo the contempt the SNP have shown rail workers over the last two years.

‘It is disgraceful that it took the risk of embarrassment at Cop26 to convince the SNP to give rail workers the fair pay they deserve.

‘Scotland’s railways are not just for Cop26. The SNP must now commit to building a railway that is truly fit for purpose and stopping the reckless cuts to services.’

Earlier this week, Mr Dey claimed he was ‘not optimistic’ that a resolution would be reached with the RMT before the deadline set for 5pm yesterday.

Last night, he said: ‘Following recent discussions we are pleased that all four trade unions have now

agreed to accept this very good pay offer on behalf of their members. We are proud to have brokered and funded a deal which gives Scotland’s rail workers a decent pay rise and improved terms and conditions, in contrast to conditions for rail workers under the UK Government.

‘We are also pleased that the RMT reached out to restart discussions based on the offer that had been made to them on Sunday. Now an agreement has been confirmed the strike action will thankfully now come to an end.’

He added: ‘As well as getting the pay rise they deserve, railway workers can now go back to delivering rail services for people right across Scotland as well as for those attending Cop26, allowing everyone who works in Scotland’s railways to play their part in welcoming the world to our country and showcase our efforts towards building a greener, cleaner railway.’