MSP calls for government to head off train strike action
LINLITHGOW MSP Mary Mulligan has called for the Scottish Government to intervene to head off planned strike action on trains this weekend, which could affect local travellers.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) balloted members over strike action against plans by ScotRail to impose driver-only train operations on the new 300 million Bathgate-Airdrie line when it opens in December.
More than 500 rail guards and drivers voted to take 24-hour strike action this Saturday, 1 March and 13 March over the plans to remove the guards from trains running on the new line.
Ms Mulligan said: "Having spoken to people who currently use the train it is clear to me that they do not want to see the guards removed from their trains when the new service starts. I have written to the transport minister to ask him to intervene and to sort out this dispute to get an agreement that the guards will be retained when the new service opens and to avoid industrial action that no-one wants to see ."
It would cost the Scottish Government almost 1.5m to convert trains on the route which would allow conductors to operate the doors for passengers at stops.
ScotRail has insisted safeguards will be in place to ensure the train drivers will be able to work the doors, and the firm's proposals would ensure that a ticket examiner would also be aboard trains.
A spokesman for ScotRail said: "The services will be no different from those which have run in Scotland for more than 25 years and will offer major benefits to passengers.
"The money saved by the Scottish Government could be invested in other rail improvements."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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