ScotRail staff threaten strike action on Scottish Cup weekend

A union has threatened to consult members over striking on the weekend of the Scottish Cup final in a row over ScotRail CCTV-monitoring staff.

Picture: John Devlin

The TSSA claims CCTV staff are "overstretched" following acceptance of 17 applications for voluntary redundancy from 22 specialist staff.

It has also criticised nightshift cover plans.

The union is holding talks with ScotRail on Tuesday and wants staff numbers to return to previous levels.

Unless a solution is found, the union will then consult members on striking over the weekend of May 19 and 20, when Celtic play Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final on the Saturday.

Mr Cortes said members have warned ScotRail that its "constant reorganisation is damaging their ability to keep the network secure".

He said: "Left to their own devices, Abellio's regard for safety has left us running our railways in Scotland on a wing and a prayer.

"We have crisis talks with Abellio tomorrow but, frankly, I'm not hopeful that they will see the light.

"If Abellio have not found a satisfactory solution by the end of tomorrow's talks, then it falls to Humza to order them to sort the problem out.

"If not, our members will be consulted on striking over the Scottish Cup final weekend in May."

Earlier this month, TSSA members voted by majority in favour of strike action.

ScotRail earlier said changes would enhance safety and suggestions otherwise were "wrong and misleading".