28 May 2021
RMT Press Office:
In advance of further industrial action by ScotRail Conductors and Ticket Examiners this Sunday, RMT leader Mick Lynch demands urgent summit with the Scottish Transport Secretary to resolve the ongoing disputes over pay equality and fairness.
In advance of further industrial action by RMT ScotRail Ticket Examiner and Conductor grades members in two separate disputes over pay fairness and equality, RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch has written to the Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson MSP to demand an urgent meeting to discuss how the disputes can be resolved fairly.
Since March 2020, the Scottish Government has been fully funding and managing the ScotRail franchise under Abellio’s Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) and it is crystal clear that only the Scottish Government can resolve these disputes and its lack of action is prolonging the disputes.
Yet, after weeks of industrial action, the Scottish Government has made no effort to engage in talks with RMT in an attempt to reach a fair resolution to the disputes.
Therefore, RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch has today written to the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson MSP, to demand an urgent meeting. The letter says:
“The Scottish Government is fully funding and managing the ScotRail franchise under its Emergency Measures Agreement. Therefore, the Scottish Government is directly responsible for resolving these disputes.”
And goes on to say:
“RMT has made clear from the outset that we are open and willing to engage in meaningful talks to attempt to bring around a fair resolution to these disputes. It is frankly appalling that months into the disputes, neither the Scottish Government nor Abellio ScotRail has made any attempt to commence talks in an attempt to resolve the disputes.”
General Secretary Mick Lynch said:
“The Scottish Government is holding the reins of the ScotRail franchise, and only the Scottish Government can resolve these disputes. Instead of backing the bosses of a failed company and prolonging these disputes into the summer it should be backing the rail worker heroes who have kept our railway moving during the pandemic.
“All RMT ScotRail Ticket Examiner and Conductor members are seeking is equality with other grades. It is a kick in the teeth for these frontline essential workers that weeks into the disputes, the Scottish Government continues to wash its hands of its responsibilities and has taken no action to try and negotiate a resolution.
“It is high time the Scottish Government stepped up to its responsibilities and met with RMT to agree a fair resolution to these disputes.”
Ends
Notes for editors
The full letter reads:
“Dear Michael,
I am writing to you to seek an urgent meeting regarding the ongoing industrial disputes between RMT Ticket Examiner and Conductor grades members and Abellio ScotRail, in advance of the upcoming industrial action scheduled for Sunday 30th May.
As you and Abellio ScotRail have acknowledged, all grades of ScotRail are essential workers who, through their commitment and dedication have kept Scotland’s rail network running throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. All RMT ScotRail Ticket Examiner and Conductor members are seeking is fair treatment and equality with other grades.
The Scottish Government is fully funding and managing the ScotRail franchise under its Emergency Measures Agreement. Therefore, the Scottish Government is directly responsible for resolving these disputes. It is frankly unfathomable that the Scottish Government has permitted Abellio ScotRail to use volunteer managers to act as a second person on trains, even though these workers do not have the knowledge, experience or safety competencies required of the job. By permitting this, the Scottish Government is, in effect, engaging in strike breaking.
RMT has made clear from the outset that we are open and willing to engage in meaningful talks to attempt to bring around a fair resolution to these disputes. It is frankly appalling that months into the disputes, neither the Scottish Government nor Abellio ScotRail has made any attempt to commence talks in an attempt to resolve the disputes.
In light of these issues, I am seeking an urgent meeting with yourself to discuss how these disputes can be resolved fairly. I would be grateful if you could advise of your availability as a matter of urgency.
Yours Sincerely,
Michael Lynch
General Secretary”
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: