RMT calls for Nicola Sturgeon ScotRail intervention

RMT calls for Nicola Sturgeon ScotRail intervention

22 October 2021

RMT Press Office:

RMT calls for the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to urgently intervene in RMT ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper fight for pay justice.

Rail Union RMT has today written to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP to call on her to urgently intervene in RMT ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper members’ ongoing fights for pay justice and fairness.

With the prospect of industrial action during COP26 that will close rail services across Scotland looming, RMT is demanding that the Scottish Government, which is directly managing the ScotRail franchise, steps in as a matter of urgency to drive the companies to the negotiating table and bring a fair resolution to the current disputes that shame Scotland.

As the letter to the First Minister from General Secretary Mick Lynch highlights:

“It is completely within the Scottish Government’s powers to resolve these disputes before COP26 commences – it needs to stop stonewalling these key workers and give them the justice, respect and reward they deserve.”

Despite COP26 commencing in a matter of days, ScotRail operator Abellio appears preoccupied with issuing insulting and provocative statements to its key worker staff while SERCO sleeper management just kick the issue into the long grass.

All RMT ScotRail and Sleeper members are seeking is justice and fairness, and the union says that the Scottish Government needs to step up and take responsibility.


General Secretary Mick Lynch said:

“It is frankly disgraceful that rather than getting all parties round the table for meaningful talks to bring about a fair resolution to these disputes, the Scottish Government is still failing to intervene, despite being in control of the ScotRail franchise and having a major interest in the Sleeper service. .

"RMT has made clear from the outset that it is open to meaningful talks. Therefore, it is disappointing that with the clock ticking and just days to go until COP26 ScotRail and the Sleeper have dragged their heels over further talks, preferring instead to issue inflammatory and misleading communications to its workforce.

"I have therefore today written to the First Minister calling her to intervene as a matter of urgency to bring about a fair resolution to these disputes.

"As I said in the letter to the First Minister, the Scottish Government needs to stop stonewalling ScotRail and the Sleeper workers and give these green railway workers the justice, respect and reward they deserve.”

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Tagged with: ScotRail, Abellio, Transport Scotland, Pay Justice, COP26, SNP, First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon