A wave of fresh train strikes have been announced for Scotland, causing travel chaos on the run up to Christmas.
In the latest update, RMT ScotRail have threatened to issue 48 hour strikes on Friday and Saturdays in the run up to Christmas, that would surely cause 'havoc' to shoppers and people trying to see family and friends.
This comes after a long dispute between ScotRail and Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) members over pay and working conditions. Members have rejected the original five per cent pay rise, and 7.5 per cent to the lowest paid workers that ScotRail offered.
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At around 4pm on November 4, RMT announced that the strikes planned for November 5, 7, 9 will be suspended as Network Rail and train firms agreed to 'intensive negotiations'. Although disruption should still be expected in Scotland, as ScotRail RMT members have issued an overtime ban.
While the three days of industrial action are suspended, RMT has said the dispute 'remains very much live' and the union is continuing its re-ballot of members to secure a fresh mandate for action with the result due on November 15.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The threat of strike action and our strongly supported industrial campaign has made the rail employers see sense.
“We have always wanted to secure a negotiated settlement and that is what we will continue to push for in this next phase of intensive talks.
“Our priority is our members, and we are working towards securing a deal on job security, a decent pay rise and good working conditions.
“Our re-ballot remains live and if we have to take strike action during the next six months to secure a deal, we will.”
If the disputes are not resolved, here are all the dates you need to know to prepare for all train strikes across November and December.
November train strikes dates
As of 4pm on November 4, RMT announced that the following strike would be suspended.
- November 5
- November 7
- November 9
However, on November 19, RMT ScotRail members have announced plans to strike, impacting Scotland's rugby international against Argentina, although this has not been officially confirmed.
December train strikes dates
If the dispute is not resolved, RMT have said they will be striking every Friday and Saturday from December 2 until December 24.
These dates would include;
- Friday December 2
- Saturday December 3
- Friday December 9
- Saturday December 10
- Friday December 16
- Saturday December 17
- Friday December 23
- Saturday December 24
Unless RMT ScotRail members are issued a higher pay rise, in line with inflation, the strikes in December are likely to go ahead. The Retail Price Index, which is the older method for calculating inflation hit 12.6 per cent in August and Consumer Price Index hit 10.1 per cent. The RMT have previously said they would 'seriously consider' a 8.2 per cent increase.
While ScotRail bosses have said they have not yet received a 'formal confirmation', as BBC reports, it will indeed cause massive disruption during one of the busiest periods.
Regional officer Mick Hogg said: “We need to find a resolution to this dispute.
“We don’t want the carnage but if no solution is found soon, it will be havoc. [Our members] want a decent cost of living pay increase that actually reflects where the inflation rate is. I’m talking 8.2 per cent or thereabouts.”
On top of this, an overtime ban has been put in place by RMT ScotRail members and the train firm have warned passengers to expect disruption and cancellations.
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