Rail workers stage 24-hour walkout over promotion row

RAIL signalling workers are holding a 24-hour strike in a dispute over career progression.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union based at the West of Scotland centre walked out at 5.59am today, until 5.58am tomorrow.

The latest industrial action follows a 72-hour strike from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day. At the time, further action was suspended to allow for talks with management, which later broke down.

The union claims Network Rail is refusing to adhere to a long-standing local arrangement where, when a resident post becomes vacant, it goes to a senior staff member.

Another day of action has been planned for 2 March.

RMT said the new round of walk-outs came after “a total failure by the management to make any progress in respect of settling the dispute over career progression”.

Bob Crow, general-secretary of the union, said: “RMT has tried to reach a negotiated settlement to this unilateral ripping-up of a local arrangement but unfortunately the management have refused to see sense and have failed to engage with us seriously since the strike action over Christmas.”

ScotRail said five services in and out of Glasgow Central were running less frequently while the Cathcart Circle service was withdrawn.

Some services are also expected to be affected tomorrow morning, with 10 cancellations already listed.

A company statement said: “As a result of planned industrial action by Network Rail staff at its West of Scotland Signalling Centre, services on six routes to and from Glasgow Central will be less frequent - or withdrawn - on Tuesday February 14.

“A few early-morning services will also be affected on Wednesday.”

“This action is beyond the control of ScotRail and we apologise for any inconvenience.”