Train passengers across Renfrewshire could face disruption later this month as staff have voted to strike.
Unite the union said hundreds of its engineering members at Abellio ScotRail have voted to take industrial action following the collapse of pay talks.
The ballot returned a vote of 78 per cent in support of strike action on a 68.4 per cent turnout. Support for industrial action short of a strike was at 92 per cent.
PAISLEY DAILY EXPRESS: Live news as it happens
Industrial action is now expected to take place from the middle of September.
Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: “The mandate Unite has received from its members at Abellio ScotRail is an indictment of the company’s behaviour and attitude towards its workers.
“The reality is the working relationship between Unite, and for that matter all trade unions, with Abellio is virtually non-existent.
“Unite’s members have had their terms and conditions cut, while Abellio also refuse to offer a decent pay rise.
“The ballot result is the inevitable outcome when workers are treated with no respect. Abellio has a final opportunity to get back round the table to meaningfully and positively resolve this dispute.
“If they do not then strike action, and action short of strike, will start from the middle of September.”
Unite has submitted a number of demands to Abellio ScotRail including a substantial increase in pay, greater flexibility of holidays, the introduction of no compulsory redundancies and the reinstatement of the Rest Day Working Agreement, which have all been rejected by the company.
ScotRail said they’ve told the union there is no more money for them to increase a pay offer.
A spokesperson said: “It’s extremely disappointing that the engineering members of Unite have voted for this highly damaging strike action.
“Although we are starting to see customers gradually returning to Scotland’s railway, our financial position is precarious and strike action is wrong at a time when we need to deliver a safe and reliable service.
“We need to provide stability for our staff and customers and Unite is wrong to disrupt services instead of working with ScotRail to address the grave long-term challenges facing the rail industry.”
Abellio will stop running the ScotRail franchise at the end of March next year when Scotland’s train services will be run by a public sector body.
Download the FREE Renfrewshire Live app now for all the latest news, features and sport in your area. Available on both Android and Apple. Download here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial
