Rail staff set for strike over plan for 'driver-only' trains

Published on Tuesday 9 February 2010 09:07

MORE than 550 rail staff are set to take part in three separate 24-hour strikes over plans to introduce "driver-only" trains on the new £300 million Airdrie-Bathgate line.

The RMT union said one-day walkouts would take place on 20 February and on 1 and 13 March after members voted by a margin of nearly five to one in favour of industrial action.

Staff are concerned about First ScotRail's plans to run trains without guards on the new Airdrie-Bathgate route, which is used by services travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: "This overwhelming vote shows just how angry RMT members are that a company that gave its shareholders 18 million last year is prepared to reduce safety standards for the sake of just 300,000.

"Anyone in doubt of the crucial role played by guards need only read First group's own rigorous training manual – and railway workers know from bitter experience that properly trained guards save lives."

ScotRail said the industrial action was "deeply disappointing," adding that it aimed to run the "vast majority" of its services during the strikes.

A spokesman said: "No one is losing their job and current terms and conditions are guaranteed. But the scheduled reopening of the 300m link is now at risk by a union campaign which boils down to who opens and shuts doors on trains."