13/12/2012

ScotRail Workers Announce Christmas Eve Strike

ScotRail workers are to strike on 22 December and again on Christmas Eve, according to the RMT union.

Staff voted to take action in November.

RMT says one of its members was sacked after trying to make sure a passenger had the correct ticket.

ScotRail has described the dates chosen by the union as "cynical in the extreme".

It said the move was a "clear attack on the travelling public across Scotland at Christmas".

RMT members, with the exception of those working on sleeper services, will refuse to work between 23:59 on Friday 21 December and 23.58 on Saturday 22 December, and again between 23:59 on Sunday 23 December 23:58 on Monday 24 December.

RMT calls the dismissal of member Scott Lewis a "travesty of justice".

But ScotRail has said the sacking came after the employee exhibited "intimidating and aggressive behaviour".

But both have agreed to holding talks, provided they are "meaningful".

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "ScotRail are completely abdicating their own duty of care to their staff, who are out there working for the company in often difficult conditions.

"Their ignorance of the basic facts in this case is breathtaking. It is time for them to call off this campaign of victimisation and reinstate Scott Lewis back into his post."

ScotRail says RMT members habe been misled by the union.

A spokesman for the rail operator said: "The union was shown CCTV on three separate occasions, and the images reveal that standards of conduct fell well below what we expect.

"If anyone believes the conduct towards a customer, who was reduced to tears, is acceptable - let alone worthy of a strike - then they are in the wrong job."

(IT)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 December 2012
Talks Planned Over ScotRail Strike
Talks are to be held on Saturday between managers from ScotRail and officials from the RMT union over potential strikes over Christmas. The two groups are to meet on Saturday to discuss strike action planned for 22 December and Christmas Eve. RMT says one of its members was sacked after trying to make sure a passenger had the correct ticket.
20 August 2004
RMT strike will have no affect on services, says Eurostar
Impending strike action by RMT union members planned for August 28 will have "no affect on services", Eurostar management have reiterated.
10 May 2012
Public Sector Workers Begin 24-Hour Strike Action
A 24-hour UK-wide strike action is underway in a dispute between public sector workers and the government over changes to their pension scheme. Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers have to taken to the streets in protest over changes that unions say will leave their members paying more and working longer for lower pensions.
23 June 2004
Network Rail in High Court bid to halt strike
Network Rail has applied to the High Court for an injunction against strike action by rail workers proceeding next week. The Rail and Maritime Transport (RMT) union is to hold a 24-hour strike on Tuesday June 29 and Wednesday June 30, over a failure to reach agreement on pensions.
28 April 2014
Tube Strike Set To Commence
A 48-hour tube strike is set to begin later. Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members are due to stage a walk-out from 9pm, and not return to their positions until 8.59pm on Wednesday (30 April). The London Underground workers are protesting over plans to close ticket offices.