Union expects 'solid' support for rail strike

UNION bosses today said they expected "rock solid" support for a strike by rail workers over the absence of conductors on a new service.

They are predicting "significant disruption" to services during the walkout, although ScotRail say nine out of ten trains will run as usual. Picket lines will be manned at major stations throughout the country, the RMT said.

Members of the RMT union are angry at ScotRail's plan to employ ticket examiners rather than conductors as the second person on the Airdrie to Bathgate line, due to open in December.

The union argues conductors, or guards, are best equipped to deal with serious incidents and claims the plan would "jeopardise passenger safety".

A reduced service will run between Edinburgh and Perth, and there will also be minor changes to services between Edinburgh and Alloa, Dunblane, Perth, the Fife Circle, Newcraighall and North Berwick.