There could be more rail strikes coming down the line as RMT members have rejected a pay offer from ScotRail bosses.
The ScotRail workers, including conductors, ticket examiners, engineering staff, train presentation teams and station staff, were balloted on Thursday, August 4 and voted to reject the offer of a five per cent increase.
This means unless both sides get back round the table to negotiate, more strike action could be on the horizon.
There have been a number of days of strike action this year already, with the Scottish rail network grinding to a halt as a result.
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The pay offer is broken down as a 2.2 per cent increase, backdated to April 2022, funded by Transport Scotland to “recognise the cost-of-living challenges”, and a further 2.8 per cent increase to be funded by ScotRail, which “recognises and rewards the flexibility of rostering arrangements as ScotRail responds to changes in our markets as we emerge from the pandemic”.
A similar offer from Scotrail was accepted by the better-remunerated members of the train drivers' union Aslef last month.
However, RMT union members are holding out for more, with the National Institute of Economic and Social Research saying inflation measured against the consumer price index (CPI) could reach 11 per cent by the end of the year, with the retail price index (RPI) coming in at 17.7 per cent, reflecting a real terms pay cut for workers.
CPI is measured using the average cost of shopping and services, whereas RPI also includes housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments and house prices.
An RMT Scotland spokesperson confirmed they are planning to meet with ScotRail bosses on Tuesday to discuss an improved offer to avoid further strike action.
They said: “Our negotiating team will meet with ScotRail bosses on Tuesday to seek an improved offer which reflects the aspirations of our members.”
Phil Campbell, ScotRail head of Customer Operations, said: “It is incredibly disappointing that RMT members have voted against this offer.
“The offer made to general grade staff is a strong one and recognises the cost-of-living challenges faced by families across the country, as well as delivering good value for the public.
“The deal on offer recognises the hard work of staff while conscious of the financial challenges faced by the railway as we look to recover from the pandemic.
“We all want to have a reliable, efficient, and sustainable railway that supports the economy and connects communities across the country. This offer would be a significant step towards delivering that.”
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “Despite this disappointing outcome, we are still very much committed to working with the RMT union to reach a mutually favourable outcome to this dispute.
“We would urge all parties to get back round the table as soon as possible so that this can be resolved soonest for the benefit of staff, passengers and the economy.”
Other industries, such as the communications industry, and public service workers have also been on strike this summer over below inflation pay offers.
Next week, a consumer protest is planned at the headquarters of Scottish Power in Glasgow over the rising cost of energy bills. And a campaign called Don’t Pay, is calling for mass non-payment of energy bills in October when prices could increase by 77 per cent as a result of the removal of the energy price cap.
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