Sleeper staff vote to strike over ‘botched’ new service
● Union claims working conditions are ‘appalling’ on new £150m fleet
Caledonian Sleeper staff have voted overwhelmingly to strike over “intolerable” pressure working on the service’s brand new trains.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) voted 89 to seven for action amid staff morale dropping to an “all-time low” over extra workloads, stress and “insufficient training” on the £150 million fleet. Turnout was more than 80 per cent.
The result comes two months after The Scotsman revealed the ballot plans.
It adds a further headache to operator Serco, which has struggled with faults on the trains that have caused intermittent disruption since they were launched between Glasgow, Edinburgh and London in April – a year late.
Their introduction on Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness to London services has been postponed, probably until September.
That earned a stiff rebuke from the Scottish Government, which subsidises the service, as being “quite simply unacceptable”.
Issues have included problems with couplers between carriages, the new showers and sensors in the toilets.
Last month, in one of the worst incidents so far, emergency brakes came on, damaging several sets of wheels and forcing several services to be cancelled pending repairs.
Passengers have also repeatedly suffered delays boarding trains, particularly at London Euston, including on Monday and Tuesday.
Other disruption included a locomotive breaking down on a Fort William-london train.
The RMT executive will decide on industrial action, while there will be further talks between the union and management.
General secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members on the Caledonian Sleeper are sick and tired of paying the personal price for the botched introduction of the new fleet and that is why they have delivered this overwhelming vote for action.
“It is time for Serco to wake up and take note of the appalling working conditions their mismanagement has lumped on their staff and to take action to resolve this dispute.”
The union said there had been “intolerable pressure on staff following the introduction of new fleet”.
“Morale has sunk to an alltime low and RMT members havesufferedworkplacestress and mental health issues.
“The insufficient staffing levels, insufficient training and anunresponsivemanagement regime have all contributed to a complete breakdown in industrial relations.”
Ryan Flaherty, Serco’s managing director for Caledonian Sleeper, said: “We’re deeply disappointed by the result of the ballot.
“I believe we have shown a real commitment to dealing with the issues the RMT has raised, and indeed there was an acceptance on all sides that progress was being made.
“We remain open and willing to engage in further talks to avoid industrial action and are fully committed to delivering the best possible service to guests.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Mike Rumbles said: “Rail bosses have lost the support of the staff that they will need to make this service a success.
“Rail bosses and ministers need to ensure a deal is struck and this [new] service reaches those passengers in the Highlands and north east who have been waiting for so long.”