West Lothian rugby fans and anyone who fancies a Halloween night out in the capital are being warned not to travel by train this weekend
ScotRail says it expects widespread disruption due to further RMT strike action on Saturday.
Rugby fans who want to see Scotland play at BT Murrayfield against Australia on Saturday have neen told not to rely on any tran service.
ScotRail has confirmed it will only be able to operate a limited service between 7.30am and 6.30pm through West Lothian on the Milngavie Edinburgh Waverley via Glasgow Queen Street Low Level, which will run as a half hourly service). Fans travelling to Scotland’s match at BT Murrayfield have been advised to consider alternative arrangements.
It’s the second day of strike action by ScotRail general grades RMT members, following industrial action on Monday, October 10 and is a result of the trade union’s rejection of an “improved pay offer” made by ScotRail.
Last week Network Rail members of the RMT trade union announced they will
take part in 24-hour strike action on Thursday November 3, Saturday 5 and Monday 7.
This dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, however it will have a major knock-on effect on the train operator’s ability to provide services as the RMT planned action will involve Network Rail staff in Scotland. ScotRail are now assessing the impact this will have its services and will updated customer as soon as possible.
David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “We’re really disappointed that the dispute with the RMT remains ongoing, given the strength of the improved pay offer ScotRail made.
“Further strike action has a damaging effect on railway’s recovery at a time when we should be encouraging more people to travel.
“Instead, our customers are being severely impacted and our staff losing out through lost wages.
“Regrettably, we won’t be able to operate the vast majority of our services on Saturday and customers should expect significant disruption to services due
to the large proportion of ScotRail staff who are members of the RMT trade union.
“We’re advising customers, including rugby fans intending to travelling to Scotland’s first autumn international at Murrayfield, to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel by train if they really need to.
“We remain open to resolving this dispute.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our industrial action campaign on ScotRail will continue until we can find a just settlement to our dispute.
“We are open to meaningful talks with Scotrail at any time to discuss all the outstanding issues.”
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