[Scotland] ScotRail agrees 5% pay deal with train drivers’ union

In Scotland, a deal has been struck that could potentially end the pay dispute between ScotRail and its train drivers, BBC News reports.

Aslef - the union representing the drivers - agreed a 5 per cent pay deal following negotiations with the rail provider's management. The union had previously rejected a 4.2 per cent pay offer and threatened strike action.

The dispute has forced ScotRail to introduce a significantly reduced timetable after drivers refused to work on their rest days.

The union reportedly said it would recommend that its members accept the offer.

ScotRail was nationalised by the Scottish government in April. It welcomed the progress made in the talks and said the offer "delivers good value for the public".

The operator has separately warned that UK-wide action planned by the RMT union could wipe out train services in Scotland for three days later this month.

The Aslef dispute has led to a reduced timetable since May, with almost 700 fewer train services a day on weekdays. A temporary, scaled-back Sunday timetable was also introduced last weekend following several weeks of severe disruption.

Dozens of services were still cancelled and others were terminated part way through their route.

Aslef initially rejected a 2.2 per cent pay offer, before later being offered 4.2 per centand improved conditions. Transport Scotland - the government's transport agency - described the offer as "both fair and affordable" but it was again rejected by the union.

'Recognition of a vital role'

Kevin Lindsay - Aslef's Scotland organiser - said the new deal represented a "breakthrough and significant progress".

"We are pleased that, today, significant progress has been made in our latest round of talks with ScotRail," he said.

"The offer on pay has been increased to 5% and we have received improved offers on pay for rest day working, Sunday working allowances, driving instructor allowances, maternity pay and an extension of no compulsory redundancies to five years. There has also been an improved proposal around the non-consolidated revenue scheme.

"All these proposals, we believe, represent a breakthrough and significant progress and is a recognition of the vital role our members play for society and the economy.

"The full Aslef negotiating team is recommending acceptance of the offer to our members through a referendum subject to executive committee approval."

The agreed pay rise is reportedly comprised of a 2.2 per cent increase to recognise the cost of living challenges - funded by Transport Scotland - and a 2.8 per cent rise funded by ScotRail to recognise the "flexibility of rostering arrangements" after the pandemic.

Basic pay for experienced drivers would increase by more than £2,600, taking the salary to £55,264. A similar offer on pay has also been made to the RMT.

In addition ScotRail's new offer includes:

• An excess revenue share premium, worth up to £2,535 for every member of staff
• An increase in rest-day working payments to £400 until March 2023
• No compulsory redundancies for five years
• A commitment to bring Sundays into the working week within five years
• Sunday working allowance (SWA) increased by 10 per cent
• Improvement in maternity and adoption leave payments

David Simpson - ScotRail service delivery director - said, "We've made a really good offer which recognises the cost of living challenges faced by families across the country and delivers good value for the public."

Shut down

Separate UK-wide strike action by thousands of railway workers could have a significant impact on services in Scotland over three days later this month.

In a warning tweet to passengers, ScotRail said, "Our services will be affected and we expect the impact to be significant with a limited-service operating, if at all."

The RMT Union has said it will "shut down" the country's network on June 21, 23 and 25 after talks over pay and redundancies fell through.

ScotRail staff will not be involved but workers at Network Rail, which maintains railways throughout Britain, did vote to strike.

Source: BBC News

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

In Scotland, a deal has been struck that could potentially end the pay dispute between ScotRail and its train drivers, BBC News reports.

Aslef - the union representing the drivers - agreed a 5 per cent pay deal following negotiations with the rail provider's management. The union had previously rejected a 4.2 per cent pay offer and threatened strike action.

The dispute has forced ScotRail to introduce a significantly reduced timetable after drivers refused to work on their rest days.

The union reportedly said it would recommend that its members accept the offer.

ScotRail was nationalised by the Scottish government in April. It welcomed the progress made in the talks and said the offer "delivers good value for the public".

The operator has separately warned that UK-wide action planned by the RMT union could wipe out train services in Scotland for three days later this month.

The Aslef dispute has led to a reduced timetable since May, with almost 700 fewer train services a day on weekdays. A temporary, scaled-back Sunday timetable was also introduced last weekend following several weeks of severe disruption.

Dozens of services were still cancelled and others were terminated part way through their route.

Aslef initially rejected a 2.2 per cent pay offer, before later being offered 4.2 per centand improved conditions. Transport Scotland - the government's transport agency - described the offer as "both fair and affordable" but it was again rejected by the union.

'Recognition of a vital role'

Kevin Lindsay - Aslef's Scotland organiser - said the new deal represented a "breakthrough and significant progress".

"We are pleased that, today, significant progress has been made in our latest round of talks with ScotRail," he said.

"The offer on pay has been increased to 5% and we have received improved offers on pay for rest day working, Sunday working allowances, driving instructor allowances, maternity pay and an extension of no compulsory redundancies to five years. There has also been an improved proposal around the non-consolidated revenue scheme.

"All these proposals, we believe, represent a breakthrough and significant progress and is a recognition of the vital role our members play for society and the economy.

"The full Aslef negotiating team is recommending acceptance of the offer to our members through a referendum subject to executive committee approval."

The agreed pay rise is reportedly comprised of a 2.2 per cent increase to recognise the cost of living challenges - funded by Transport Scotland - and a 2.8 per cent rise funded by ScotRail to recognise the "flexibility of rostering arrangements" after the pandemic.

Basic pay for experienced drivers would increase by more than £2,600, taking the salary to £55,264. A similar offer on pay has also been made to the RMT.

In addition ScotRail's new offer includes:

• An excess revenue share premium, worth up to £2,535 for every member of staff
• An increase in rest-day working payments to £400 until March 2023
• No compulsory redundancies for five years
• A commitment to bring Sundays into the working week within five years
• Sunday working allowance (SWA) increased by 10 per cent
• Improvement in maternity and adoption leave payments

David Simpson - ScotRail service delivery director - said, "We've made a really good offer which recognises the cost of living challenges faced by families across the country and delivers good value for the public."

Shut down

Separate UK-wide strike action by thousands of railway workers could have a significant impact on services in Scotland over three days later this month.

In a warning tweet to passengers, ScotRail said, "Our services will be affected and we expect the impact to be significant with a limited-service operating, if at all."

The RMT Union has said it will "shut down" the country's network on June 21, 23 and 25 after talks over pay and redundancies fell through.

ScotRail staff will not be involved but workers at Network Rail, which maintains railways throughout Britain, did vote to strike.

Source: BBC News

(Link and quotes via original reporting)