07/10/2008

Scottish Rail Strike Goes Ahead

Rail services across Scotland will be affected by strike action following the break down of talks with Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) staff over roster agreements.

About 450 RMT signallers and signalling supervisors staff walked out from midday on Tuesday and are due to strike from the same time on Thursday.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "We have spent two days in talks at ACAS trying to reach agreement, but the company is still trying to rewrite the agreed rostering principles without consulting or negotiating, and that means today's action will go ahead as planned.

"If our members are to have any chance of a decent work-life balance and the ability to make plans with their families it is important that Network Rail sticks to its side of the agreements we have."

David Simpson, Network Rail Route Director for Scotland Network said: "We are bitterly disappointed to inform passengers and freight operators that the RMT still intends to take strike action this week.

"We have been unable to shift the union from its position - a position that puts safety at risk by demanding safety assessments be voluntary, not compulsory."

The Scottish Government said it expected the RMT and Network Rail to attend a meeting on Wednesday at the conciliation service Acas.

(GK/KMcA)

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