The Scottish Government has weighed in on the rail strike by saying the UK Government should encourage Network Rail to get back round the table and negotiate with the trade unions.
It wants to see a push for job security and better working conditions, as well as a pay deal that takes into account the cost-of-living crisis.
This comes ahead of a strike taking place tomorrow (Wednesday, July 27) that will see just five rail services in operation in Scotland.
There will be no trains running in Renfrewshire.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
The after-effect of the strike action is expected to disrupt services on Thursday too.
Scottish Government Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth has called on her UK Government counterpart, Grant Shapps, to resolve the issue.
In a letter sent to the UK Transport Secretary, she said: “I asked you previously for assurances that you would do everything in your role as Transport Secretary to avoid further industrial action and the disproportionate effect this will have on Scotland’s Railway.
“Instead, the UK Government continues to appear to be distracted rather than focusing on resolving this dispute as quickly as possible for the benefit of rail users, staff and taxpayers.”
The strike action on Wednesday is being organised by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) on behalf of its Network Rail members as well as workers from 14 train operating companies in the UK.
ScotRail workers are not involved in this strike action, but the Network Rail workers, who occupy critical safety positions on the railways, who are, mean that services in Scotland will also be affected.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has said that Network Rail, an arms-length body of the Department for Transport in the U.K has threatened strikers with compulsory redundancies in an effort to break the strike.
Jenny Gilruth says that that is something that the Scottish Government can not get behind.
“The Scottish Government will not support any reforms which seek to impose compulsory redundancies. During the pandemic our rail workers were on the front line - they worked to ensure that passengers and freight could reach their destinations safely. Our railway staff should be recognised for their unstinting service during a time of crisis; not punished as the cost of living soars.” Said the SNP politician.
She continued: “The UK Government continues to appear determined to escalate the situation with recent proposals to overturn the ban on agency workers covering striking staff. The Scottish Government was not consulted on this announcement and will not support any proposals which seek to undermine legitimate Trade Union activity.”
Download the FREE Renfrewshire Live app now for all the latest news, features and sport in your area. Available on both Android and Apple. Download here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial
