ScotRail staff to receive strike ballots over pay row

ScotRail staff will be balloted on strike action after a trade union accused the railway operator of failing to provide a “serious and credible offer” to its members.

The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (Aslef) said on Tuesday that its executive committee made the decision, with the ballot to close on August 29.

The ballot will include strike action, and other industrial action short of striking.

The union took aim at ScotRail and the Scottish Government , accusing them both of not providing a better pay offer.

It is a mess of their own making. We urge them to think again, treat our members with the fairness and respect they deserve, and make an offer to them that is credible and serious

Aslef Scottish organiser Kevin Lindsay said: “This ballot has come about because of ScotRail and the Scottish Government’s failure to come up with a serious and credible offer to our members.

“It is a mess of their own making. We urge them to think again, treat our members with the fairness and respect they deserve, and make an offer to them that is credible and serious.”

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has a separate strike ballot due to open on Thursday.

RMT said the ballot, which covers its ScotRail staff, and members who work on the Caledonian Sleeper , came after staff received “well below inflation derisory offers” which did not “fully reward members for their hard work and dedication”.

Ballots will open on Thursday and will run until August 8, the union said.

ScotRail, as a public body and the employer, has responsibility and the ability to negotiate within the limits of public sector pay metrics

Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government’s national transport agency, said it acknowledged the unions’ negotiations, and asked unions to continue speaking with ScotRail on an agreed outcome.

A spokesperson said: “While train planning and staff rotas are operational matters for ScotRail, we fully expect any timetable to give the best reliability and availability for passengers and that changes are communicated well in advance to enable effective journey planning.

“We acknowledge the desire of rail unions to negotiate a fair settlement for their members.

“ScotRail, as a public body and the employer, has responsibility and the ability to negotiate within the limits of public sector pay metrics.

“However, as rail unions have been made aware, any offer beyond these requires Scottish Government approval at senior level following the appropriate process.

“We would encourage rail unions to continue meaningful dialogue with ScotRail, so that a mutually agreeable outcome can be reached as soon as possible.”

ScotRail said it previously met with Aslef officials on Friday July 5, where it made an offer of 9.3% over three years, which all rail trade unions rejected.

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said:  “We’re disappointed that Aslef is balloting its members for industrial action following the recent pay offer and we encourage members to vote to reject it.

“We recognise the hard work of our colleagues and the offer made to our staff recognises the cost-of-living challenges faced by families across the country and hope that we can come to an agreement on pay which reflects this, as well as delivering value for money for the taxpayer.

“We want to resolve this matter with trade unions and remain fully committed to further discussions.”