Monday 13 Feb 2012
95% OF SCOTTISH SERVICES TO RUN DESPITE STRIKE
- Region & Route:
- Scotland’s Railway: Scotland
- Majority of services on routes across Scotland will be unaffected by RMT strike
- Six local services from Glasgow Central to be reduced / withdrawn
- No disruption expected to cross-border operations
Network Rail remains confident of running a comprehensive service for passengers during the RMT strike at the West of Scotland signalling centre in Glasgow tomorrow (February 14).
Contingency plans have been prepared for the 24-hour strike with managers and non-union staff ready to replace striking signallers from 06:00 on Tuesday.
The majority of services across Scotland will not be affected in any way by the industrial action at the centre, which only controls train services originating from Glasgow Central. More than 95% of services will run as timetabled. Cross-border travel will also be unaffected.
Services on six local routes from Glasgow Central will be altered and in one case withdrawn, but all stations will be served throughout the dispute.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “We’re confident we will run a comprehensive service for passengers. More than 95% of services across Scotland will run as timetabled and even in Glasgow, every station served by Glasgow Central trains will receive a service. Only half-a-dozen local services will be affected.
“Network Rail does not consider that any agreements have been breached. This dispute is simply about the RMT wishing to see posts filled based on seniority, rather than merit and suitability.”
Service alterations for February 14:
Glasgow - Gourock/Wemyss Bay
Reduced from three to two trains per hour.
Glasgow - Neilston / Newton
Normal timetable until approx 19:00 then hourly. There may be some timing changes later in the day.
Glasgow - Paisley Canal
Reduced from two to one train per hour until approx 19:00 then hourly bus replacement.
Glasgow - Whifflet
Reduced from two to one train per hour until approx 19:00 then hourly bus replacement.
Glasgow - Barrhead / Kilmarnock
Half-hourly services to Kilmarnock via Barrhead (Barrhead local trains cancelled)
Services to Carlisle may have longer journey times.
Cathcart Circle
Service withdrawn - please use Neilston / Newton trains instead.
Notes to editors
The dispute only affects 32 staff based at the West of Scotland signalling centre. It is not a national dispute.
Slotting refers to making appointments based solely on seniority. The practice has not been commonplace since British Rail was privatised in 1994.
This dispute began as the union wished to see a signaller recently appointed to a temporary post at the West of Scotland signalling centre (through an open, merit-based selection process) removed from his position and the job given to its preferred candidate instead.
Even if the company adhered to seniority arrangements, which it does not, the union’s claim that their preferred candidate is more “senior” than the other is incorrect. The company has provided the union with data which clearly shows that both started in their grade on the same day and share equal seniority.
The West of Scotland signalling centre is the most modern facility of its kind in Scotland. The purpose-built, £20m centre opened in 2008.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Network Rail press office - Scotland
0141 555 4109
mediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
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