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RMT to escalate ScotRail strike action ahead of Christmas RMT to escalate ScotRail strike action ahead of Christmas
(31 minutes later)
ScotRail services are set to come to a halt on the day of a major international rugby matchScotRail services are set to come to a halt on the day of a major international rugby match
Rail workers are to intensify their strike action ahead of Christmas in a pay dispute with ScotRail.Rail workers are to intensify their strike action ahead of Christmas in a pay dispute with ScotRail.
The RMT union has announced plans for a walkout on the day of Scotland's rugby international against Argentina on 19 November and on every Friday and Saturday after that until Christmas.The RMT union has announced plans for a walkout on the day of Scotland's rugby international against Argentina on 19 November and on every Friday and Saturday after that until Christmas.
The union's organiser in Scotland, Mick Hogg, told the BBC action was designed to "focus minds to find a solution".The union's organiser in Scotland, Mick Hogg, told the BBC action was designed to "focus minds to find a solution".
Scotrail had offered staff a 5% pay uplift with additional add-ons. ScotRail said the move would be "incredibly disappointing".
The nationalised rail firm said it would have given the lowest paid workers a 7.5% rise but that deal has since been withdrawn after the RMT refused to cancel a strike last Saturday which crippled the network, with a limited service running on only three routes in the central belt. The firm had offered all staff a 5% pay uplift plus add-ons, with the lowest paid workers offered a 7.5% increase.
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However, that deal has since been withdrawn after the RMT refused to cancel a strike last Saturday which crippled the network, with a limited service running on only three routes in the central belt.
It was the second one-day strike the RMT has held in the dispute, with the union previously saying it would "seriously consider" an 8.2% increase.It was the second one-day strike the RMT has held in the dispute, with the union previously saying it would "seriously consider" an 8.2% increase.
A ban on overtime and rest day working is also in place.
More than 2,000 ScotRail workers are involved in the dispute, including conductors, ticket inspectors, depot staff, cleaners, CCTV operators and catering workers.
Rail services have also been severely disrupted in recent months by a series of separate disputes with workers including ScotRail drivers - which has been resolved - and Network Rail staff.
This is a significant escalation of the strike action at ScotRail.
The prospect of 48 hour strikes on Fridays and Saturdays in the run up to Christmas is something of a nuclear option and risks hitting festive nights out and shopping trips.
The union will be hoping the simple prospect of action on this scale will focus minds on resolving the dispute. But can a significantly improved pay offer be made?
While ScotRail staff are not paid out of taxpayers' money in the way that, say, NHS workers are, there is still the question of ensuring that the taxpayer gets the most value from the money the Scottish government gives ScotRail.
ScotRail was, in effect, renationalised by the Scottish government in April. Will the prospect of massive disruption lead to further political pressure for a solution?
Or will the RMT simply be told that there can be no significant improvements to the current offer?
ScotRail head of customer operations Phil Campbell, said: "We've had no formal confirmation yet from the RMT, but if what is being reported is accurate it is incredibly disappointing and will severely impact our customers, our staff and the economy in the lead up to Christmas.
"ScotRail made a significantly improved offer to the RMT, which would deliver a 7.4% basic pay increase for the lowest paid, provide job security for at least six years, and increase allowances and commission payments. It's time for the RMT bosses to give members a say and put it to a referendum.
"Once we have formal notification of any further action, we will assess the full impact of this strike action and will begin working on contingency arrangements. We will update customers as soon as this is complete."