ScotRail is reminding customers that its services will face widespread disruption when the train operator’s members of the RMT take part in strike action today, Monday, 10 October.
Last Thursday, the RMT rejected ScotRail’s latest improved pay offer which the train operator had tabled in a bid to resolve the dispute and avert strike action.
The RMT announced that its ScotRail general grades members will take part in 24-hour strike action on Monday, 10 October resulting from the pay dispute with the train operator, which means a very limited number of services will operate on a very limited number of routes.
The dispute is separate from the RMT’s dispute with Network Rail which has seen disruption across the whole Great Britain railway network on a number of days since July.
A large proportion of ScotRail’s employees are members of the RMT, including in roles such as conductors, ticket examiners, hospitality, station staff (including train dispatch), engineering depot staff, train presentation, supervisors, resource co-ordinators, and CCTV operators – though not all employees in these roles are trade union members.
ScotRail has confirmed it will only be able to operate a limited service between 07.30 and 18.30 on the following three routes:
- Milngavie – Edinburgh Waverley (half hourly service).
- Glasgow Central – Lanark (hourly service).
- Glasgow Central – Larkhall (hourly service).
ScotRail is only able to provide this very limited service due to the number of contingency staff required to cover the shifts of those on strike.
The important messages for customers are:
1. There will be no service except on three routes linking Milngavie with Glasgow and Edinburgh, and connecting Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.
2. For the routes which will operate a service, customers should only travel if they really need to and should consider alternative options where possible.
The RMT has also advised ScotRail that its general grades members will take part in an overtime and rest day working ban as part of action short of a strike from Friday, 14 October, which will have some impact to ScotRail services until the dispute is resolved.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Head of Customer Operations, said:
“We’re really disappointed that the dispute with the RMT has reached this outcome, given the strength of the improved pay offer ScotRail made.
“This strike action does nothing for the railway’s recovery at this fragile time. It will severely impact our customers and it will also cost our staff through lost wages.
“Due to the large number of ScotRail staff who are members of the RMT, ScotRail customers should expect significant disruption to services on Monday, 10 October, as we won’t be able to operate the vast majority of our services.
“We’re advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to tomorrow, Monday, 10 October.
“We remain open to resolving this dispute.”