Sunday rail services set to be halted

RAIL services across the Lothians could be virtually shut down on Sundays early next year after a row between train operator ScotRail and unions intensified.

The train drivers’ union Aslef will ballot for strike action next month in protest at them having to work ten extra shifts a year each.

If members vote in favour of action, it said, that would pose the possibility of drivers refusing to work Sunday shifts.

Aslef hopes the severity of the threat will be enough to force ScotRail back round the table and come up with a better solution for drivers.

The union’s officer for Scotland, Kevin Lindsay, said: “At the moment drivers are not volunteering to work additional Sundays.

“But if there was a ballot it would mean drivers not doing any shifts on a Sunday.

“It would see ScotRail shut down on a Sunday.”