
21 May 2021
RMT Press Office:
RMT calls on Scottish political leadership to end vow of silence over ScotRail dispute over workplace justice
RAIL UNION RMT today called upon the Scottish political leadership and their operators at Transport Scotland to end their vow of silence over the long-running disputes involving conductors and ticket examiners in a fight for equality and justice across grades over the issue of enhanced payments for restday working.
With the next phase of action going ahead Sunday, and with the union preparing to mobilise picket lines, RMT says it is scandalous that leading political figures in Scotland have made no comment or intervention whatsoever, making a nonsense of their claims to support fairness and justice for the Scottish people.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said:
“RMT ScotRail Conductor and Ticket Examiner will be taking strike action again this Sunday over their fight for workplace justice and parity between grades.
“The political leadership in Scotland needs to end its silence, intervene as a matter of urgency, and put pressure on Abellio ScotRail to resolve this dispute.
“It is a kick in the teeth for these workers, that despite their commitment throughout the pandemic Transport Scotland continues to wage war on essential workers who have worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to keep Scotland’s rail services running.
“The company needs to focus on resolving this dispute instead of putting its energies into organising managers to scab with only cursory training, putting public safety at risk.
“RMT remains available for talks and it’s about time Abellio got round the negotiating table.”