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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Rail strike suspended after talks | Rail strike suspended after talks |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| All Scottish rail services are expected to run as normal after a second 24-hour strike due to start at noon on Thursday was called off. | |
| The walkout was suspended after a nine-hour meeting between Network Rail, the conciliation body Acas, and the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT). | |
| The RMT said progress had been made and it would consider a full report before making a statement later in the week. | |
| Network Rail said it now hoped a normal timetable would be running. | |
| A total of 450 signal workers were due to take part in the strike action. | A total of 450 signal workers were due to take part in the strike action. |
| A 24-hour walkout on Tuesday severely disrupted rail services and caused traffic chaos throughout Scotland. | A 24-hour walkout on Tuesday severely disrupted rail services and caused traffic chaos throughout Scotland. |
| The row centres on rota changes and compulsory safety assessments. | The row centres on rota changes and compulsory safety assessments. |
| We are pleased that strike action has been suspended and will continue to seek a negotiated resolution to this dispute Network Rail | We are pleased that strike action has been suspended and will continue to seek a negotiated resolution to this dispute Network Rail |
| The RMT insists employers have failed to move on its demand to stop last-minute changes to rotas. Network Rail said it had made concessions on that issue but safety assessments remained the sticking point. | The RMT insists employers have failed to move on its demand to stop last-minute changes to rotas. Network Rail said it had made concessions on that issue but safety assessments remained the sticking point. |
| Both sides met at the Acas offices in Glasgow at 1400 BST and ended the meeting just before 2300 BST. | Both sides met at the Acas offices in Glasgow at 1400 BST and ended the meeting just before 2300 BST. |
| A spokesman for Network Rail said: "This dispute is all about our ability to continue to provide a safe railway. | A spokesman for Network Rail said: "This dispute is all about our ability to continue to provide a safe railway. |
| "We are pleased that strike action has been suspended and will continue to seek a negotiated resolution to this dispute. | "We are pleased that strike action has been suspended and will continue to seek a negotiated resolution to this dispute. |
| "We will now work to restore train services to the travelling public as quickly as we can for tomorrow." | "We will now work to restore train services to the travelling public as quickly as we can for tomorrow." |
| Mary Grant, managing director of train operator First ScotRail, welcomed the suspension. | Mary Grant, managing director of train operator First ScotRail, welcomed the suspension. |
| She said: "I thank our customers for their patience and understanding over a dispute which was outwith our control. | She said: "I thank our customers for their patience and understanding over a dispute which was outwith our control. |
| "It is hoped issues have been resolved so that they are not let down in this way again." | "It is hoped issues have been resolved so that they are not let down in this way again." |
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| Talks begin between Network Rail and the RMT union about an on-going dispute. | Talks begin between Network Rail and the RMT union about an on-going dispute. |
| The company said it would try to run as normal a service as possible on Thursday, but that there could still be minor disruption. | The company said it would try to run as normal a service as possible on Thursday, but that there could still be minor disruption. |
| Last-minute negotiations had broken down on Monday after no agreement was reached. | Last-minute negotiations had broken down on Monday after no agreement was reached. |
| First Minister Alex Salmond said the move would come as a great relief to the travelling public. | First Minister Alex Salmond said the move would come as a great relief to the travelling public. |
| He said: "The suspension of the planned action, under the auspices of Acas conciliation, is a significant step forward, and I hope that unions and management can now settle their remaining differences." | He said: "The suspension of the planned action, under the auspices of Acas conciliation, is a significant step forward, and I hope that unions and management can now settle their remaining differences." |
| The first strike began on Tuesday at noon and affected rail journeys across the country. | The first strike began on Tuesday at noon and affected rail journeys across the country. |
| First ScotRail said it tried to run as many services as possible during the walkout. | First ScotRail said it tried to run as many services as possible during the walkout. |
| A limited timetable operated between Glasgow and Edinburgh and in the central belt on Wednesday morning. | A limited timetable operated between Glasgow and Edinburgh and in the central belt on Wednesday morning. |
| However, no trains ran north of Perth during the stoppages because the larger number of smaller signal boxes makes the area harder to cover using contingency staff. | However, no trains ran north of Perth during the stoppages because the larger number of smaller signal boxes makes the area harder to cover using contingency staff. |
| Replacement bus services were running between Aberdeen and Inverness. | Replacement bus services were running between Aberdeen and Inverness. |
| Virgin Trains cancelled two cross-border early morning trains. Some services from England to Scotland were also cancelled or diverted. | Virgin Trains cancelled two cross-border early morning trains. Some services from England to Scotland were also cancelled or diverted. |