THE Scottish Government’s negotiations with trade unions over the summer have managed to avert some of the most high-profile strikes scheduled to hit Scotland.
Fears of another Edinburgh Festival Fringe characterised by garbage building up on the streets came to nothing after ministers found extra funding for councils (although workers have yet to accept the revised pay offer).
Strikes by college lecturers were also called off this week following talks with ministers about securing an improved pay deal.
Yet some strike action is still currently set to occur in Scotland, with some relying upon negotiations with the UK rather than the Scottish Government.
LNER
The LNER route from Edinburgh to London is a key service between the two capitals.
However, Aslef union members employed by LNER are due to strike every weekend from the end of August until mid-November in a long-running dispute over working conditions.
It comes despite UK Government Transport Secretary Louise Haigh declaring an “end” to the industrial dispute with train drivers, which has resulted in 18 days of strike action across numerous services over the past two years.
Currently, a total of 22 days of strike action by LNER drivers remain on the cards with the Edinburgh to London service expected to face severe disruption.
ScotRail
A strike ballot of ScotRail workers closed on Tuesday (August 20), with industrial expected to occur in early September if union members vote in favour.
Unions are demanding an improved pay-offer for workers on the publicly owned railway, with the current verbal offer of a 2% pay increase backdated to April and a further 1% in January 2025 being described by Unite as not “credible”.
It comes after a temporary, slimmed-down timetable was introduced due to an ongoing pay dispute with train drivers.
While ScotRail is currently seeking to recruit new drivers, normal timetables rely upon some existing employees working overtime and on rest days to ensure full delivery.
The temporary timetable was introduced in a bid to provide more “certainty” to customers however strike action could mean even fewer services running next month.
Edinburgh Trams
Workers on the Edinburgh Trams backed strike action last week due to health concerns, including a “lack of toilet breaks”.
Unite, which represents 160 tram workers, said more than 91% of workers balloted supported strike action, which could take place within a matter of weeks.
The union said that mismanagement had resulted in staff going hours without hydration or toilet breaks, leading to stress amongst workers and reports of health issues.
Edinburgh Trams said it was working with staff and Edinburgh City Council to find “a workable solution” to the issues.
