Rail, ferry and energy workers have gathered in Edinburgh to protest against promises they say were made towards a greener Scotland, but not delivered.
RMT Union members have marched through the streets of the capital to Bute House in Charlotte Square, unhappy over Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Greens' announcement following Cop 26 regarding a cut to public services.
Workers are protesting against cutting rail ticket office hours, timetables and infrastructure, while also noting that the price of rail travel is increasing at four times the rate of using a car.
READ MORE: Protestors to march through Edinburgh to Nicola Sturgeon's residence over 'betrayal'
RMT also stated that instead of securing their vital lifetime ferry services in the public sector, "ministers appear to be paving the way for privatisation where profits will be put before climate and people."
As for energy workers, the union are unhappy after ministers "sold Scotland's renewable energy resources on the cheap to the likes of BP and Shell without securing supply chain jobs."
The union's general secretary Mick Lynch said: "Cop26 started only three months ago but already the lofty rhetoric about fighting climate change seems a distant memory as we witness a betrayal of ambitions by the SNP and Green Government to move towards a greener Scotland.
"Instead of cutting climate change the Government is cutting rail services and ticket offices, threatening the privatisation of our lifeline ferry services, and doing far too little to protect the livelihoods of energy workers and the vital service they provide.
"As the country approaches the local government elections in May, this protest will be the start of a concerted campaign to persuade politicians to protect these services and jobs which are so vital to our local communities."
The protest this morning, Monday 31 January, began at Edinburgh's Waverley Station and ended at Bute House, protesting at the official residence of the First Minister.
The union tweeted pictures of the protest at Charlotte Square, saying: "Today, RMT members marched to Bute House. We're demanding: No cuts to jobs and services on Scotland's railways, A just transition of offshore workers and no privatisation of CalMac."
Rail fares across Scotland rose by almost four per cent last week. with former transport minister Graeme Dey admitting the increase is "unwelcome" but insisting it is necessary because of the impact of the pandemic.
From January 24 regulated fares at both peak and off-peak times increased by 3.8%, a rise determined by the level of the Retail Price Index (RPI) .
While the cost of off-peak tickets has gone up by a lower amount in previous years, the latest increase applies to all services.
