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Strike to hit Scotland's railways Strike to hit Scotland's railways
(40 minutes later)
Commuters throughout Scotland face disruption as rail signal staff stage the first of two 24-hour strikes.Commuters throughout Scotland face disruption as rail signal staff stage the first of two 24-hour strikes.
The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said 450 staff were due to walk out from midday on Tuesday and at the same time on Thursday.The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said 450 staff were due to walk out from midday on Tuesday and at the same time on Thursday.
The RMT said the row was over roster agreements. Network Rail said the action centred on the issue of whether safety assessments should be voluntary.The RMT said the row was over roster agreements. Network Rail said the action centred on the issue of whether safety assessments should be voluntary.
Many train services will not run and roads are expected to be busy.Many train services will not run and roads are expected to be busy.
Network Rail said that the company was disappointed and bemused by the RMT's decision.Network Rail said that the company was disappointed and bemused by the RMT's decision.
RAIL STRIKE INFORMATION First ScotRail informationNetwork Rail informationBBC Scotland Travel News First ScotRail, which operates services, said it hoped to run as many trains as possible.RAIL STRIKE INFORMATION First ScotRail informationNetwork Rail informationBBC Scotland Travel News First ScotRail, which operates services, said it hoped to run as many trains as possible.
A limited timetable between Glasgow and Edinburgh is likely and in and around the central belt, but it is expected that no trains will run north of Perth during the stoppages, because the larger number of smaller signal boxes makes the area harder to cover using contingency staff.A limited timetable between Glasgow and Edinburgh is likely and in and around the central belt, but it is expected that no trains will run north of Perth during the stoppages, because the larger number of smaller signal boxes makes the area harder to cover using contingency staff.
Virgin Trains expects the west coast mainline to close completely from the middle of the afternoon - with all services due to travel north of the border terminating at Carlisle.
First ScotRail said customers should check its website for revised timetables.First ScotRail said customers should check its website for revised timetables.
The Met Office has also issued a severe weather warning for Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, Perth and Kinross and Stirling for Tuesday morning and motorists have been advised to take extra care.The Met Office has also issued a severe weather warning for Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, Perth and Kinross and Stirling for Tuesday morning and motorists have been advised to take extra care.
There's a fundamental difference between us and that's whether or not vital safety assessments should be voluntary David SimpsonNetwork Rail Ian McIntyre, of the RMT, said last minute talks had broken down but that the union and management had not been "a million miles apart".There's a fundamental difference between us and that's whether or not vital safety assessments should be voluntary David SimpsonNetwork Rail Ian McIntyre, of the RMT, said last minute talks had broken down but that the union and management had not been "a million miles apart".
He said: "What we have asked them to do is go back to the principles we've been working on for a number of years when they make a request to our signallers - 99 times out of a hundred our signallers will comply with that.He said: "What we have asked them to do is go back to the principles we've been working on for a number of years when they make a request to our signallers - 99 times out of a hundred our signallers will comply with that.
"Why make this fundamental change? There was no consultation, they've just changed a working practice that they never went into with us.""Why make this fundamental change? There was no consultation, they've just changed a working practice that they never went into with us."
But Network Rail route director David Simpson told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There's a fundamental difference between us and that's whether or not vital safety assessments should be voluntary.But Network Rail route director David Simpson told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There's a fundamental difference between us and that's whether or not vital safety assessments should be voluntary.
"RMT's view is that they should be, we're saying safety is critical, there's no compromise in that and we have to be able to roster those without them being voluntary.""RMT's view is that they should be, we're saying safety is critical, there's no compromise in that and we have to be able to roster those without them being voluntary."
Mr Simpson also claimed RMT members had not voted to strike on the safety assessment and did not understand why union representatives had made it such an issue.Mr Simpson also claimed RMT members had not voted to strike on the safety assessment and did not understand why union representatives had made it such an issue.
Glasgow Chamber of Commece chief executive Richard Cairns said: "There will be serious disruption to business as staff struggles to get to work and working time is lost. In the current economic climate, this strike is particularly unhelpful."Glasgow Chamber of Commece chief executive Richard Cairns said: "There will be serious disruption to business as staff struggles to get to work and working time is lost. In the current economic climate, this strike is particularly unhelpful."
Are you planning to strike? Are you a passenger affected by the decision? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you planning to strike? Are you a passenger affected by the decision? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
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