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Strike to cause rail disruption Strike to cause rail disruption
(about 1 hour later)
Rail passengers are set for days of disruption as signal workers stage a 48-hour strike in Scotland.Rail passengers are set for days of disruption as signal workers stage a 48-hour strike in Scotland.
Network Rail said its priority was to keep as many trains as possible running during the stoppage, which is due to begin at 1200 GMT.Network Rail said its priority was to keep as many trains as possible running during the stoppage, which is due to begin at 1200 GMT.
First ScotRail said several services would be suspended from mid-morning on Wednesday until peak times on Friday in the strike over altering working hours.First ScotRail said several services would be suspended from mid-morning on Wednesday until peak times on Friday in the strike over altering working hours.
There will be reduced services on other routes, including Glasgow to Edinburgh.There will be reduced services on other routes, including Glasgow to Edinburgh.
Have you been affected by the rail strike?Have you been affected by the rail strike?
Network Rail has been drawing up contingency plans with train operator First ScotRail following the collapse of talks with the RMT union.Network Rail has been drawing up contingency plans with train operator First ScotRail following the collapse of talks with the RMT union.
Its members voted last month to take strike action in a dispute over working hours.Its members voted last month to take strike action in a dispute over working hours.
The dispute centres on an alleged failure to honour a 35-hour week agreement and the abuse of rostering agreements. The dispute centres on an alleged failure to honour a 35-hour week agreement and abuse of rostering agreements.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow stated: "These issues have been resolved elsewhere but in Scotland there appears to be managers who want to make a name for themselves." The RMT, which has 480 members in Scotland, predicted that the strike would cause "massive disruption". RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "These issues have been resolved elsewhere but in Scotland there appears to be managers who want to make a name for themselves."
The RMT, which has 480 members in Scotland, predicted that the strike would cause "massive disruption".
However, David Simpson, the Scottish route director at Network Rail, said the priority was to keep as many trains running as possible.However, David Simpson, the Scottish route director at Network Rail, said the priority was to keep as many trains running as possible.
If the company are suggesting that we move from a 12 hour to an eight hour day that means you're working five days Phil McGarryRMT regional organiserIf the company are suggesting that we move from a 12 hour to an eight hour day that means you're working five days Phil McGarryRMT regional organiser
"It will only be about 30% of normal service but there will be trains running and details of those are available from local stations or from National Rail Enquiries," he said."It will only be about 30% of normal service but there will be trains running and details of those are available from local stations or from National Rail Enquiries," he said.
First ScotRail said it was "as prepared as can be" for the strike, but warned passengers there would be reduced frequency and capacity on certain routes.First ScotRail said it was "as prepared as can be" for the strike, but warned passengers there would be reduced frequency and capacity on certain routes.
RMT regional organiser Phil McGarry told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the new proposed way of working did not give members the right work life balance. RMT regional organiser Phil McGarry told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the proposed way of working did not give members the right work-life balance.
He said: "If the company are suggesting that we move from a 12 hour to an eight hour day that means you're working five days.He said: "If the company are suggesting that we move from a 12 hour to an eight hour day that means you're working five days.
The rail company apologised to passengersThe rail company apologised to passengers
"Our members work the 12 hours because it suits them - it means in effect that they have quality time free from work to enjoy with their loved ones and families.""Our members work the 12 hours because it suits them - it means in effect that they have quality time free from work to enjoy with their loved ones and families."
The service between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street will run every 30 minutes from 1100 GMT onwards.The service between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street will run every 30 minutes from 1100 GMT onwards.
The last train is due to leave Glasgow at 1800 GMT, while the last departure from Edinburgh will be at 1745 GMT.The last train is due to leave Glasgow at 1800 GMT, while the last departure from Edinburgh will be at 1745 GMT.
Reduced services will also operate between Edinburgh and Fife, Bathgate, North Berwick and Stirling.Reduced services will also operate between Edinburgh and Fife, Bathgate, North Berwick and Stirling.
A number of services from Glasgow will also run on reduced timetables, while others will be cancelled until Friday afternoon.A number of services from Glasgow will also run on reduced timetables, while others will be cancelled until Friday afternoon.
The services which will be suspended include the routes to Whifflet, Paisley Canal, Dumfries and Carlisle, Wemyss Bay and the Cathcart circle.The services which will be suspended include the routes to Whifflet, Paisley Canal, Dumfries and Carlisle, Wemyss Bay and the Cathcart circle.
No trains will be running on the services between Aberdeen and Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness.No trains will be running on the services between Aberdeen and Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness.
Cancelled servicesCancelled services
Services from Inverness to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Wick, Thurso and Kyle of Lochalsh will also be cancelled.Services from Inverness to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Wick, Thurso and Kyle of Lochalsh will also be cancelled.
The Caledonian Sleeper service between Scotland and London will not run on Wednesday or Thursday, but should operate on Friday.The Caledonian Sleeper service between Scotland and London will not run on Wednesday or Thursday, but should operate on Friday.
The other cancelled services include those between Perth and Glasgow and those from Edinburgh to West Calder, Newcraighall and Glasgow via Shotts.The other cancelled services include those between Perth and Glasgow and those from Edinburgh to West Calder, Newcraighall and Glasgow via Shotts.
The rail company apologised to passengers and urged people to check its website for the latest details of its services.The rail company apologised to passengers and urged people to check its website for the latest details of its services.
James King, who is on the board of the rail watchdog Passenger Focus said travellers felt bewildered by the action. James King, who is on the board of the rail watchdog Passenger Focus, said travellers felt bewildered by the action.
He said: "Passengers are not really interested in the detail of it, they're just interested in their day-to-day journey to work, to the doctors, dentist, hospital, whatever it is."He said: "Passengers are not really interested in the detail of it, they're just interested in their day-to-day journey to work, to the doctors, dentist, hospital, whatever it is."