Dumfries and Galloway rail services to be hit by Sunday strikes

Train users in the region face another five Sundays of disruption as ScotRail conductors are to stage a series of 24-hour strikes in a dispute over overtime payments.

The RMT is currently balloting ScotRail ticket examiners for strike action over the same issue.

The first strike was on Sunday and affected the Carlisle to Glasgow services on the Nith Valley Line – including Gretna Green, Annan, Dumfries and Sanquhar – and those on the Stranraer to Glasgow line in the west of the region.

The RMT said the strikes would take place each Sunday until May with the possibility of further action if no agreement is reached with ScotRail.

It has instructed its members not to work on any rest days or undertake “higher grade duties” until further notice.

ScotRail said that it will not be able to provide the same level of services on those Sundays and has warned that having to cancel services on a number of key routes will have “a significant impact” on people who needed to travel, including NHS workers delivering services during the pandemic.

ScotRail’s head of conductors Graham Ralston said: “We will do everything we can to minimise the consequences of this action but key workers will be adversely affected.

“Inevitably, many will have to find alternative and much less convenient ways to get to work to perform their life-saving duties.”

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “The wholesale cancellation of services is entirely down to ScotRail and their pig-headed refusal to treat their conductors with the equity and fairness that they deserve.”

He added: “We have made it clear that we will not allow ScotRail to divide the workforce and are demanding that ScotRail do what is fair and honour an enhanced rate for rest-day working for all grades.”