Perth and Kinross rail commuters are set to face further travel disruption over the next week due to more strike action planned over an ongoing pay and working conditions dispute.
Members of Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) walked out nationwide on Saturday over the pay row.
Network Rail workers who are members of RMT began the first of two 24-hour walkouts on Saturday and will do so again this Saturday.
Only 20 per cent of ScotRail services operated between 7.30am and 6.30pm in the Central Belt, Borders and Fife on Saturday – with no trains running elsewhere on the network.
The RMT/Network Rail dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, but the operator relies on Network Rail workers to operate signal boxes and maintain the track.
The knock-on effects of the industrial action will impact services on Sunday too.
Meanwhile, RMT members at ScotRail are planning to stage their own 24-hour strike on Monday, October 10, if ongoing talks do not bring about an agreement.
The union has described the pay offer as an effective wage cut for its members because of the soaring rate of inflation.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Transport workers are joining a wave of strike action on October 1, sending a clear message to the government and employers that working people will not accept continued attacks on pay and working conditions at a time when big business profits are at an all-time high.
“The summer of solidarity we have seen will continue into the autumn and winter if employers and the government continue to refuse workers reasonable demands.
“We want a settlement to these disputes where our members and their families can get a square deal. And we will not rest until we get a satisfactory
outcome.”
Network Rail says it is offering an eight per cent pay rise over two years, along with other benefits.
Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: “Despite our best efforts to compromise and find a breakthrough in talks, rail unions remain intent on continuing and co-ordinating their strike action.
“This serves only to ensure our staff forgo even more of their pay unnecessarily, as well as causing even more disruption for our passengers and further damaging the railway’s recovery from the pandemic.
“Passengers who want to travel this Saturday, and indeed next Wednesday and next Saturday, are asked only to do so if absolutely necessary.”
Meanwhile, postal workers from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) also walked out on Saturday following their ongoing dispute over changes in working terms and conditions with Royal Mail.
The mail company is asking postal workers to trade terms and conditions for a pay rise.
The CWU’s members who collect, sort, and deliver parcels and letters have been called to take further national strike action on 13, 20, and 25 October, as well as November 28 in protest.
