Scotland's railways risk grinding to a halt during one of the busiest times of the year as workers plan strikes on every Friday and Saturday in December.
The RMT union is threatening to significantly escalate its dispute with ScotRail - which is controlled by the Scottish Government - after rejecting its latest pay offer.
More than 2,000 staff including conductors, ticket examiners, and station staff will walk out on Fridays and Saturdays from December 2 to December 24 - including Christmas Eve.
If the strike action goes ahead it will cause carnage for the many Scots planning to make weekend shopping trips during the Christmas season.
ScotRail workers will also strike on Saturday, November 19 under the plans, scuppering travel for thousands of rugby fans travelling to watch Scotland face Argentina at Murrayfield.
The RMT union warned last week it would continue industrial action for "as long as it takes" to get a fair pay deal.
Its members recently rejected an improved offer put to members that was understood to be around 7.5 per cent - comprising a £500 uplift on top of the five per cent already offered.
Mick Hogg, RMT Scotland organiser, previously said: "It's not enough. We are actually fighting to defend the living standards and working conditions.
"We want more because the retail price index is 12.6% so the offer that is on the table comes nowhere near acceptable to RMT members."
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
