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Daily Record
Politics
Peter Davidson

ScotRail and trade union deal 'close' as industrial action not ruled out by bosses

A deal between ScotRail and a trade union over a pay dispute which has led to hundreds of cancellations is "close", according to bosses.

There has been havoc on the railways since the start of last week after train drivers refused to work overtime or on rest days due to a dispute on pay.

Aslef, who represent train drivers, has now turned down two offers from the rail operator which was taken into public ownership earlier this year.

After talks the second 4.2 per cent offer was rejected yesterday, however Aslef's Scottish organiser Kevin Lindsay said there could be a deal soon.

He told the BBC Good Morning Scotland programme: "We'll sit down with ScotRail again on Monday and we believe that we're close to reaching an agreement, we think that there's a number of things that can be done to reach a settlement.

"We're a trade union, it's never been on strike in 20 years here in Scotland and we're not even taken industrial action just know.

"What we're facing just know is train drivers saying they don't want to work their days off.

"On average ScotRail train drivers are having to work two days a month extra to keep the railway running. That surely isn't a way to run the business."

Lindsay said if ScotRail refuses to meet with the union on Monday then it will ballot its members for industrial action which could cause even more havoc on the railways.

He added: "ScotRail will receive statutory notice if we do not go back in a meaningful discussion on Monday.

"ScotRail has asked us to attend talks on Monday, we will attend the talks on Monday. If we get an improved offer, an acceptable offer there will be no strike action.

"They can come up with an improved offer using the money that's already there in this package, and let's get a deal sorted."

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