RMT ScotRail members

To: RMT ScotRail members

 

Dear colleague, 

 

I am writing to update you following the publication of ScotRail’s latest accounts.

 

Staff cuts 

The accounts show, concerningly, that there has been a reduction in staff numbers in the past year at ScotRail. Whilst there has been an increase of staff in management/admin and driver grades, there has been a reduction in on-train, station and fleet maintenance staff. 

 

On train staff reduced by 43 to 1107, station staff reduced by 34 to 1040 and fleet maintenance staff reduced by 11 to 942. In total there’s 116 fewer staff at ScotRail than there were two years ago.

 

As you know, for some time, RMT has been calling for the Scottish Government to rule out cuts to ticket office hours. It has not done this, and has also recently put forward proposals to extend DOO on the Barrhead line. Now that ScotRail is owned by the Scottish Government, it should be investing and expanding staffing, not making short-sighted cuts or reducing staff numbers by stealth. 

 

RMT is seeking more information from the company about these staffing cuts and any unfilled vacancies and will keep members updated. If you are aware of any vacancies in your workplace that have not been filled, please let your reps know. 

 

Director pay 

At the same time as reducing frontline staffing, it’s a different story for the high paid executives at ScotRail. 

 

The highest paid director at ScotRail received £178,000 and total director pay at ScotRail during the year was more than £800,000. You can see the pay bands for the executive team here. These pay packages include three directors that receive a £7500 car allowance. The managing director of Scotland’s Railway (paid by Network Rail) received between £330-335,000.

 

As we approach this year’s pay award, your lead officer and negotiators will be putting these issues to the employer and demanding a pay award that recognises the vital role that ScotRail staff play in keeping Scotland’s railway running.