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Rail strike 'business as usual' | Rail strike 'business as usual' |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Train operator First ScotRail has claimed it is "business as usual" despite a 24-hour strike by workers. | |
Members of the RMT union are fighting plans to have drivers instead of guards operate the doors on a new rail link between Airdrie and Bathgate. | Members of the RMT union are fighting plans to have drivers instead of guards operate the doors on a new rail link between Airdrie and Bathgate. |
The union is holding a second one-day stoppage over the issue, which is has described as "safety-critical". | |
ScotRail said it was running at least nine out of 10 trains, as it did during the previous strike. | |
Its special timetable aimed to provide 100% of services on many routes - including Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street and all services in Strathclyde, except Motherwell-Cumbernauld. | Its special timetable aimed to provide 100% of services on many routes - including Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street and all services in Strathclyde, except Motherwell-Cumbernauld. |
It also aimed to run Glasgow and Edinburgh services to Aberdeen and Inverness as normal. | It also aimed to run Glasgow and Edinburgh services to Aberdeen and Inverness as normal. |
The RMT said about 560 workers were taking part in the latest industrial action with picket lines at key railway stations. | |
Our members are rock solid across Scotland in their strike action in defence of rail safety and the role of the guard Bob Crow RMT General Secretary | |
Buses replaced trains on services between Glasgow and Oban, Fort William and Mallaig, parts of the Glasgow-Carlisle service, as well as in the Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh and Thurso areas. | |
There were minor changes to services between Glasgow and Edinburgh to Alloa, Dunblane and Perth, as well as the Fife Circle, Newcraighall and North Berwick services from the capital. | |
RMT members are also due to walk out on 13 March, the day of the Scotland v England RBS 6 Nations rugby game at Murrayfield. | RMT members are also due to walk out on 13 March, the day of the Scotland v England RBS 6 Nations rugby game at Murrayfield. |
The £300m rail link from Glasgow to Edinburgh, via Airdrie to Bathgate, is due to open in December. | The £300m rail link from Glasgow to Edinburgh, via Airdrie to Bathgate, is due to open in December. |
Last week, union leaders expressed anger that government agency Transport Scotland had already backed First ScotRail's plans to run the service with drivers and ticket examiners but no conductors. | |
'Tough choices' | |
RMT union general secretary Bob Crow said: "Our members are rock solid across Scotland this morning in their strike action in defence of rail safety and the role of the guard. | |
"RMT remains available for meaningful talks based on ensuring safety on ScotRail services in line with agreements dating back to 2001." | |
Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail, said: "It is business as usual for Scotland's railway. | Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail, said: "It is business as usual for Scotland's railway. |
"Our contingency plans are such that we will run at least nine out of 10 trains - as happened during the strike last Saturday." | "Our contingency plans are such that we will run at least nine out of 10 trains - as happened during the strike last Saturday." |
He added: "However, we have again had to revise some services because of the RMT's bid to cause as much inconvenience as possible to our customers. | He added: "However, we have again had to revise some services because of the RMT's bid to cause as much inconvenience as possible to our customers. |
"Tough choices have had to be taken to ensure that as many people as possible are unaffected on the day." | "Tough choices have had to be taken to ensure that as many people as possible are unaffected on the day." |
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