Sleeper train staff to strike over stress

ANGRY staff on the Caledonian Sleeper are to take industrial action over ‘intolerable’ stress caused by working conditions.

The RMT union claimed that its members’ working lives had been ‘ruined’ and operator Serco had not fulfilled ‘promises’ to address issues raised.

Poor staffing levels and insufficient training have previously been blamed for the situation.

The union has now confirmed strike action and action short of a strike will go ahead after members voted in favour by more than ten to one in a turnout of more than 80 per cent.

Members have been told not to go on shift between 12pm on Sunday, September 29 and 11.59pm on Tuesday, October 1; not to work overtime or rest days; not to perform highergrade duties, and to work to their original job description from 12.01am on Wednesday, October 2 until further notice.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ‘The union is angry and frustrated that promises made to us to address the serious concerns of the Caledonian Sleeper staff at the end of July have not been honoured... RMT members have been put under intolerable personal stress.’

Serco admitted there had been ‘challenging’ problems but said the strike action was ‘completely unnecessary’.

Ryan Flaherty, managing director of the Caledonian Sleeper, said: ‘We have met the RMT and company council on many occasions and the changes they have requested have either been completed or are under way.’