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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Jacob Rawley

Rail strike Scotland: How long will the industrial action last?

Today has marked the first day of the UK-wide RMT rail strikes, which has slowed ScotRail operations to a near-halt with just five services running.

Scotland has been dealing with months of rail disruption now, amid driver shortages and pay rows with the drivers' union ASLEF.

Between the two unions, Scots have had to experience major disruption and some are wondering when things may go back to normal.

This partly falls on the Government and Network Rail, who could resolve or extend the disruption based on negotiations with unions.

Outside of that, here is what we know about rail disruptions and when operations should return to normal for people.

Only five routes are operating in Scotland during the strike (Getty Images)

RMT strikes

The RMT strikes are set to take place during June, on Tuesday the 21st (today), Thursday the 23rd, and Saturday the 25th.

The strikes will come to an end on Saturday the 25th, with services set to begin returning to normal operations the following day on Saturday the 26th.

The strikes could end earlier if a deal is met, but so far all talks have been unsuccessful.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "RMT is open to meaningful negotiations with rail bosses and ministers, but they will need to come up with new proposals to prevent months of disruption on our railways."

Further action

Some may be concerned about further strike action although this is not likely, even if the government and network operators fail to come to a deal with the rail workers.

The RMT union favours repeated one-day strikes, which we could see more of in the future if demands continue to not be met, however there is no planned further action as of yet.

Signal boxes reopening

While the strikes will be over as of Sunday the 26th of June, there could still be disruption and cancellations in Scotland.

This is because of signal boxes, which are run by Network Rail workers, reopening at different times across the day.

ScotRail have said: "On the days following strike action - 22, 24, and 26 June - there will be disruption across Scotland’s Railway caused by the reopening of signal boxes at different times across the day."

Driver shortages

While most of the UK will return to normal, Scotland will not as ScotRail was already operating on a temporary timetable amid driver shortages.

This has been caused by drivers refusing overtime, something which ScotRail deems essential amid shortages caused by training which has been pushed back by the pandemic. The Scottish Government and the nationalised rail service has been trying to reach a deal with ASLEF who say that drivers' salaries do not reflect the current inflation.

Earlier this month, Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF’s Scottish Organiser, said: “We are pleased that today significant progress has been made in our latest round of talks with ScotRail.”

READ MORE: ScotRail breakthrough as union negotiators back improved pay offer

He added: “The offer on pay has been increased to 5% and we have received improved offers on pay for rest day working, Sunday working allowances, driving instructor allowances, maternity pay and an extension of no compulsory redundancies to 5 years.

"There has also been an improved proposal around the non consolidated revenue scheme.”

The union has agreed that the proposed pay package and working conditions would be put to members in a ballot, which will not be completed until July.

"Ballot papers will go out next week and the result announced on the 11th of July." said Lindsay.

That meaning even after the RMT strikes, ScotRail will continue to operate on its reduced timetable through June and early July at the very least.

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