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McConnell calls for end to strike Rail union considers more strikes
(about 6 hours later)
Rail unions are considering four more days of strike action, BBC Scotland understands.
First Minister Jack McConnell has urged the RMT rail union to call off its "unnecessary and unacceptable" strike and return to the negotiating table.First Minister Jack McConnell has urged the RMT rail union to call off its "unnecessary and unacceptable" strike and return to the negotiating table.
He made the call at Question Time in the Scottish Parliament where the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon accused the Scottish Executive of doing too little. Network Rail said it believed the RMT was planning four days of strike action next week in the dispute over proposed changes to signal workers' shifts.
Rail passengers are experiencing a second day of disruption as a strike by signal workers continues in Scotland. However, the union denied any decision about further action had been taken.
The RMT has warned that the strike could spread to the rest of the UK. The RMT's executive committee is due to meet in Glasgow on Friday to discuss the dispute.
Thousands of people have already been affected after members of the RMT began the 48-hour stoppage on Wednesday over proposed changes to shift patterns.
I regard the strike yesterday, today and tomorrow as unnecessary and unacceptable Jack McConnellFirst Minister How the strike has affected your regionI regard the strike yesterday, today and tomorrow as unnecessary and unacceptable Jack McConnellFirst Minister How the strike has affected your region
Many services have been cancelled and others will operate on a reduced timetable until Friday lunchtime. Rail passengers have experienced two days of disruption after workers walked out at 1200 GMT on Wednesday.
Mr McConnell told MSPs: "The reality here is that passengers on our railways should come first. Many services have been cancelled and others will operate on a reduced timetable until Friday lunchtime, when the strike ends.
The issue was raised at Question Time in the Scottish Parliament, where the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon accused the Scottish Executive of doing too little.
She said the first minister should have been "knocking heads together" to ensure that the strike did not take place.
Around the table
Mr McConnell said: "The reality here is that passengers on our railways should come first.
"I regard the strike yesterday, today and tomorrow as unnecessary and unacceptable.""I regard the strike yesterday, today and tomorrow as unnecessary and unacceptable."
He said Network Rail had told him that they would meet the union "within an hour" if the strike was called off and the union was willing to sit around the table with the company.He said Network Rail had told him that they would meet the union "within an hour" if the strike was called off and the union was willing to sit around the table with the company.
"I believe that is an offer the trade union should accept," he said."I believe that is an offer the trade union should accept," he said.
Mr Crow defended the decision not to go to AcasMr Crow defended the decision not to go to Acas
"Even if the trade union had a point, they have made their point in the first 24 hours of this dispute."Even if the trade union had a point, they have made their point in the first 24 hours of this dispute.
"They should immediately call off the second 24 hours, get round the table with Network Rail this afternoon, and solve this dispute in the interests of passengers across Scotland.""They should immediately call off the second 24 hours, get round the table with Network Rail this afternoon, and solve this dispute in the interests of passengers across Scotland."
RMT general secretary Bob Crow had told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Unless management sit down and resolve this very, very quickly, (ie by next Thursday), then our executive committee will be balloting the entire number of signal workers, in England and Wales as well." STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said his comments were "ill-advised and ill-judged".
Mr Crow said the union had not gone to the arbitration service Acas as "they are not binding by law" and because an agreement was already in place. The RMT has warned that the strike could spread to the rest of the UK.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott told the programme Mr Crow's comments were a "throwback to the 1970s". RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the union had not gone to the arbitration service Acas as "they are not binding by law" and because an agreement was already in place.
YOUR VIEWSHow the rail strike has hit some travellersIn picturesYOUR VIEWSHow the rail strike has hit some travellersIn pictures
Transport Minister Tavish Scott told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that Mr Crow's comments were a "throwback to the 1970s".
The first rail strike in Scotland for nearly four years came after talks collapsed on Monday.The first rail strike in Scotland for nearly four years came after talks collapsed on Monday.
Nationally, the union and Network Rail agreed last July to introduce a 35-hour week.Nationally, the union and Network Rail agreed last July to introduce a 35-hour week.
The dispute centres on how that change will be implemented.The dispute centres on how that change will be implemented.
The RMT said the strike had been "rock solid" on Wednesday, when about 400 signalling and supervisory staff walked out at 1200 GMT.
'Face a ballot'
General secretary Bob Crow said: "Network Rail should understand that our members are determined to achieve the 35-hour week we agreed to last July, and it is the company that holds a very simple solution in its hands.
"Network Rail now has the choice of engaging constructively with us to resolve this dispute or facing a ballot of our signalling members throughout Britain."
However, David Simpson, route director for Network Rail Scotland, labelled the action "regrettable" and "unnecessary" and insisted the company was willing to engage in discussions with RMT.
Have you been affected?Have you been affected?
Train operator First ScotRail urged passengers to check its website to find out which services were operating.Train operator First ScotRail urged passengers to check its website to find out which services were operating.
No trains will run north of Stirling, and those operating further south will operate on a reduced timetable. No trains were running north of Stirling, and those operating further south were operating on a reduced timetable.
The Glasgow to Edinburgh service will run every 15 minutes every first hour and then every 30 minutes for the rest of the day. The Glasgow to Edinburgh service ran every 15 minutes every first hour and then every 30 minutes for the rest of the day.
Last trains will leave Edinburgh at 1745 GMT and Glasgow at 1800 GMT.
Extra buses have been put on standby in various parts of the country to cope with increased demand.Extra buses have been put on standby in various parts of the country to cope with increased demand.
The Caledonian Sleeper service between Scotland and London is not running on Wednesday or Thursday, but should operate on Friday.
HOW PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED ACROSS SCOTLANDHOW PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED ACROSS SCOTLAND
Bus use rises in the eastBus use rises in the east
Services hit in the westServices hit in the west
North east sees disruptionNorth east sees disruption
Inverness station 'deserted'Inverness station 'deserted'
Tayside travellers 'unaffected'Tayside travellers 'unaffected'