No train services to run in the Highlands on last Saturday of October as Scotrail confirms further strike action by RMT
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TRAIN travel across the Highlands will face another day of total halt at the end of the month.
ScotRail has confirmed they are expecting widespread disruption due to further RMT strike action on Saturday, 29 October.
This will see a very limited number of services to operate in the central belt, with no train journeys expected to run on the day in the north.
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, 29 October, 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.”
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.
More than 2,000 ScotRail employees are members of the RMT, including in roles such as conductors, ticket examiners, hospitality, station staff (including train dispatch), engineering depot staff, train presentation, supervisors, resource co-ordinators, and CCTV operators – though not all employees in these roles are trade union members.
Earlier this week, Network Rail members of the RMT trade union announced they will take part in 24-hour strike action on Thursday, 3 November, Saturday, 5 November, and Monday, 7 November.
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.
Fans travelling to Scotland’s match at BT Murrayfield against Australia are advised to consider alternative arrangements
More information on how strike action will impact ScotRail services, including ScotRail’s refund policy, can be found on the ScotRail website at www.scotrail.co.uk/strike.
