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Strike to hit Scotland's railways Scotland hit by rail staff strike
(about 1 hour later)
Commuters throughout Scotland face disruption as rail signal staff stage the first of two 24-hour strikes. Rail disruption has hit Scottish commuters as signal workers have begun 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. About 450 staff Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) staff walked out from midday on Tuesday and are due to strike from 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 are not running and roads and buses have been 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 was due to operate in and around the central belt, but it was 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.
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. Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The fact is, how can you have a balanced lifestyle, when you get told on the Thursday that, for example, you'll get next Tuesday off and you've got childcare arrangements, social arrangements, then you're told on the Monday that we can now change your roster and you've now got to come to work."It's totally unacceptable in 2008."
There's a fundamental difference between us and that's whether or not vital safety assessments should be voluntary David SimpsonNetwork Rail Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The fact is, how can you have a balanced lifestyle, when you get told on the Thursday that, for example, you'll get next Tuesday off and you've got childcare arrangements, social arrangements, then you're told on the Monday that we can now change your roster and you've now got to come to work. "It's totally unacceptable in 2008." Advertisement
Rail travellers receive information about disruption to services
Mr Crow said the union would be available for talks again after midday on Wednesday and dismissed Network Rail claims that the RMT had misrepresented the issues to staff.Mr Crow said the union would be available for talks again after midday on Wednesday and dismissed Network Rail claims that the RMT had misrepresented the issues to staff.
But Network Rail route director David Simpson told BBC Radio Scotland'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 Scotland'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."
A spokesman for Network Rail said the RMT had been asked to take part in further talks on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's planned strike.A spokesman for Network Rail said the RMT had been asked to take part in further talks on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's planned strike.
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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