Rail strikes called off during Cop26 after deal settled, union confirms

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ScotRail train

Rail strikes during the Cop26 climate conference have been called off after the RMT confirmed negotiations on a pay rise have been settled.

The announcement was made following talks between the trade union and transport bosses on Wednesday.

Transport during the 13-day United Nations climate summit, which is drawing world leaders and thousands of delegates to Glasgow, was set to be heavily disrupted by rail strikes amid a dispute on pay and conditions.

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The Scottish Government and ScotRail had imposed a deadline of 5 pm on Wednesday for a resolution.

Within days of Cop26 kicking off, the union confirmed the planned industrial action will be โ€œwithdrawn immediatelyโ€ as members welcomed a negotiated pay rise.

In a letter released to union members following the agreement, RMT general secretary Michael Lynch said: โ€œBy accepting the offer, ScotRail stated that it would mean all current disputes between your union and the company would be resolved and that all current and planned industrial action would be withdrawn immediately.โ€

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The new terms accept the unionโ€™s call for a 2.5% pay rise backdated to April and a โ€œCop26 paymentโ€ for all staff of ยฃ300.

A three-hour book on allowance applied to each rest day worked, applicable for 12 months from the date of the agreement, is also included.

Mr Lynchโ€™s said the unionโ€™s offer was accepted โ€œunanimouslyโ€ by delegates.

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His letter added: โ€œIt was noted that it was only through the tremendous determination of you and your colleagues throughout this dispute, through the efforts of your representatives, activists and negotiators that this result was achieved.

โ€œThe AGM congratulates you and I congratulate you on achieving this magnificent industrial victory and gaining a one-year pay deal and rest day working agreement without any preconditions and which banishes the previously stated productivity strings attached.

โ€œBy accepting the offer all industrial action is now cancelled and I instruct you all to work normally on the days you had previously been instructed to take action on.โ€

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In response to the announcement, ScotRailโ€™s chief operating officer Ian McConnell said: โ€œWe have reached a pay agreement with the RMT trade union that resolves strike action.

โ€œWe look forward to Scotlandโ€™s Railway playing its part in delivering a successful Cop26 next week.โ€

Earlier this week, Scotlandโ€™s Transport Minister Graeme Dey warned he was โ€œnot optimisticโ€ that a resolution would be reached with the RMT before the 5 pm deadline.

He was facing calls to quit if a deal could not be reached to prevent the strike during Cop26.

In response to the recent announcement, Mr Dey said: โ€œFollowing recent discussions we are pleased that all four trade unions have now agreed to accept this very good pay offer on behalf of their members.

โ€œWe are proud to have brokered and funded a deal which gives Scotlandโ€™s rail workers a decent pay rise and improved terms and conditions, in contrast to conditions for rail workers under the UK Government.

โ€œWe are also pleased that the RMT reached out to restart discussions based on the offer that had been made to them on Sunday. Now an agreement has been confirmed the strike action will thankfully now come to an end.

โ€œAs well as getting the pay rise they deserve, railway workers can now go back to delivering rail services for people right across Scotland and as well as for those attending Cop26.โ€

Opposition parties took aim at the SNP for the delay in accepting the unionโ€™s call for a pay rise but welcomed the announcement.

Scottish Labourโ€™s transport spokesperson Neil Bibby said: โ€œThis eleventh-hour deal may help the SNP save face but it wonโ€™t fix the mess theyโ€™ve made of our railways.

โ€œHowever welcome the pay deal is, it doesnโ€™t undo the contempt the SNP have shown rail workers over the last two years.

โ€œIt is disgraceful that it took the risk of embarrassment at Cop26 to convince the SNP to give rail workers the fair pay they deserve. Scotlandโ€™s railways are not just for Cop26.

โ€œThe SNP must now commit to building a railway that is truly fit for purpose and stopping the reckless cuts to services.โ€

Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson MSP said: โ€œItโ€™s welcome that rail chaos has been avoided at the eleventh hour.

โ€œWe had repeatedly called for the SNP Government to intervene sooner, but this deal is better late than never.

โ€œNow that all parties have reached an agreement it is vital that services and information for people across Glasgow is ramped up in readiness for Cop26 next week.โ€

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said he was โ€œdelightedโ€ an agreement was reached adding, โ€œrail workers are to be commended for their commitment which has ultimately resulted in this improved pay deal.

โ€œI know that this agreement will be welcomed by all of those who regularly rely on Scotlandโ€™s railway.โ€


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