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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Glasgow 2014: Threat of transport strikes in Glasgow before Games | Glasgow 2014: Threat of transport strikes in Glasgow before Games |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Staff at two of Glasgow's key transport operators are to be balloted on industrial action ahead of the Commonwealth Games. | Staff at two of Glasgow's key transport operators are to be balloted on industrial action ahead of the Commonwealth Games. |
| Engineers at First Bus and Subway staff will vote before the end of June. | |
| Glasgow 2014 has been billed as a "public transport games", with up to 500,000 extra journeys expected on the busiest days. | Glasgow 2014 has been billed as a "public transport games", with up to 500,000 extra journeys expected on the busiest days. |
| About 150 bus engineers at First Group Glasgow are being balloted after they rejected a 0.5% pay offer. | About 150 bus engineers at First Group Glasgow are being balloted after they rejected a 0.5% pay offer. |
| Unite union members at Strathclyde Partnership Transport Subway will vote over claims they will receive no extra payment for the increased work and demands during the Games. | Unite union members at Strathclyde Partnership Transport Subway will vote over claims they will receive no extra payment for the increased work and demands during the Games. |
| An SPT spokeswoman said that claim was simply not true and they were disappointed the union was threatening to jeopardise transport during the Games. | An SPT spokeswoman said that claim was simply not true and they were disappointed the union was threatening to jeopardise transport during the Games. |
| The spokeswoman added: "SPT has made it clear that any Subway staff requested to work additional hours will be paid in line with their current terms and conditions. | The spokeswoman added: "SPT has made it clear that any Subway staff requested to work additional hours will be paid in line with their current terms and conditions. |
| "We are also not sure why certain staff are being balloted for possible industrial action as they have not been requested to work additional hours during the Games. | "We are also not sure why certain staff are being balloted for possible industrial action as they have not been requested to work additional hours during the Games. |
| 'Welcoming reputation' | 'Welcoming reputation' |
| "However, it is incredibly disappointing that Unite is threatening to jeopardise the transport arrangements during the largest multi-sport event Scotland has ever hosted. | "However, it is incredibly disappointing that Unite is threatening to jeopardise the transport arrangements during the largest multi-sport event Scotland has ever hosted. |
| "We would urge Unite to consider the impact on customers and potential damage to Glasgow's welcoming reputation and call off the ballot." | "We would urge Unite to consider the impact on customers and potential damage to Glasgow's welcoming reputation and call off the ballot." |
| First Group Glasgow said it was "extremely surprised and disappointed" that Unite has decided to ballot its engineering members for industrial action. | First Group Glasgow said it was "extremely surprised and disappointed" that Unite has decided to ballot its engineering members for industrial action. |
| Spokeswoman Fiona Kerr said: "We have serious concerns that union officials have failed to properly consult with their members. | Spokeswoman Fiona Kerr said: "We have serious concerns that union officials have failed to properly consult with their members. |
| "Nor have they sought to bring in ACAS to help us reach agreement. Officially balloting members at this stage is premature at best. " | "Nor have they sought to bring in ACAS to help us reach agreement. Officially balloting members at this stage is premature at best. " |
| She added: "We are operating in a very challenging market in Glasgow, put under extra pressure by cuts in funding and increasing costs. | She added: "We are operating in a very challenging market in Glasgow, put under extra pressure by cuts in funding and increasing costs. |
| "In the last two years we have taken the hard decisions to close a depot and to implement a two-year wage freeze for many of our drivers. | "In the last two years we have taken the hard decisions to close a depot and to implement a two-year wage freeze for many of our drivers. |
| "We are simply not prepared to fund a pay award by asking customers to pay higher fares." | "We are simply not prepared to fund a pay award by asking customers to pay higher fares." |
| The strikes threat comes as the RMT announced its members at ScotRail will receive additional payments of up to £275. | The strikes threat comes as the RMT announced its members at ScotRail will receive additional payments of up to £275. |
| Intense demand | Intense demand |
| RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: "We are pleased to be able to confirm that we have secured an agreement which will properly reward all staff involved in delivering services throughout the Games. | RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: "We are pleased to be able to confirm that we have secured an agreement which will properly reward all staff involved in delivering services throughout the Games. |
| "It is only right that those carrying the pressure of operating services against a backdrop of intense demand are recognised. | "It is only right that those carrying the pressure of operating services against a backdrop of intense demand are recognised. |
| "The deal we have now signed off does just that. | "The deal we have now signed off does just that. |
| "We also have an agreement in place that no staff will be dismissed from their posts throughout the duration of the Games." | "We also have an agreement in place that no staff will be dismissed from their posts throughout the duration of the Games." |
| A ScotRail spokesman said: "We welcome the agreement with the RMT and look forward to providing the most extensive train timetable that Scotland has ever seen for the Commonwealth Games." | A ScotRail spokesman said: "We welcome the agreement with the RMT and look forward to providing the most extensive train timetable that Scotland has ever seen for the Commonwealth Games." |
| The train drivers union Aslef has yet to agree terms. | The train drivers union Aslef has yet to agree terms. |
| It is understood there will be a meeting next week. | It is understood there will be a meeting next week. |