ScotRail drivers to hold strike vote

SCOTRAIL train drivers are to be balloted for industrial action as part of a dispute over pay, just over a month after it was taken into public ownership.

The Aslef union said it was “disappointed by the lack of action and any meaningful pay offer” from the newly nationalised operator.

As a result, leaders insisted they had “no option” but to ballot members for action.

It comes after ScotRail was taken into public ownership on April 1, with Aslef organiser Kevin Lindsay saying there had been hope the move may spark a “new era of positive industrial relations”.

But he added: “We are beyond disappointed by the lack of action and any meaningful pay offer from ScotRail.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman said last night: “Rail unions have long campaigned for public ownership and this Scottish Government has delivered our railways back into the public sector control.

“Noting that all employees have already received the previously negotiated and agreed 2.2% increase, we would encourage them to continue meaningful dialogue with ScotRail so a mutually agreeable outcome can be reached as soon as possible.”