ScotRail engineering staff vote to accept government pay offer

MEMBERS of a union representing some ScotRail workers have voted to take a pay deal in an ongoing dispute.

Unite's more than 300 members working at the rail company voted to accept an offer which union leadership is calling a "significant boost".

The union is the first out of the four railway unions representing ScotRail staff to accept the updated pay deal from the Government, which will see staff get a pay rise of 4.5% backdated to April.

The other three unions, TSSA (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association), Aslef (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) and RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers), are still considering the offer, with the latter two saying it is reasonable.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s ScotRail membership have given their overwhelming support to a decent wage deal.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said the deal was a 'significant boost' to workers' take-home pay

“We are pleased to have successfully negotiated a significant boost to our members’ take-home pay.”

The union's staff at ScotRail undertake maintenance, overhaul and repair tasks for the company's trains.

The bargaining structure for general workers at ScotRail covering engineers is separate from drivers which is covered by different arrangements.

Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: “The ScotRail pay offer is a credible one. It provides a solid platform for securing better jobs, pay and conditions going forward.”

Aslef withdrew strike action ballots last month after it deemed the offer “acceptable”, instead holding a vote on the offer, which closes on September 25.

Jim Baxter, Aslef executive committee member, said: “After the latest round of talks with ScotRail, we are pleased to report that the latest offer made to our members is one that the Aslef negotiating team thinks is acceptable.

“Our ballot for industrial action has now been withdrawn and a referendum of our members, on the offer, will now be held.

“The negotiating team and executive committee are recommending that members accept this offer.”

TSSA previously described the pay offer as “reasonable”, but its members are yet to make a decision.