The first minister has been accused of “trading ScotRail” for service cuts as calls are made for urgent action to address staff shortages.
The allegations have grown as cuts to services with the nationalized ScotRail mean the latest trains to major cities will leave before Scotland’s World Cup playoffs with Ukraine begin.
Ministers have been urged to launch more trains to ensure that the cuts do not stop many of Tartan’s army from participating.
Train operator ScotRail has confirmed it will cut services by nearly a third next week due to a shortage of drivers exacerbated by two pay disputes involving the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) and Aslef unions following the rejection of the pay rise. by 2.2%. .
READ MORE: ScotRail cuts mean the last trains for Scotland’s World Cup clash with Ukraine will leave before the start
ScotRail says the temporary but indefinite shift to Ax 700 services, which takes effect Monday, came as a result of a dispute over drivers’ pay, which means some are refusing to accept the option of weekends and Sundays.
Scotland’s key connection with Ukraine will start on June 1 at 7.45 pm in Hampden, but the last train to Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth and Aberdeen will leave before the start.
The last train from Glasgow to Aberdeen is scheduled to leave at 18.41, for Dundee it will be 19.10 and to Perth it will be 19.37.
The last service for Edinburgh is scheduled for 22.15 – at least a quarter of an hour before the last referee’s signal, and this does not take into account extra time or penalties.
There are now fears that many hardcore Tartan Army fans may miss the match.
Scottish Labor says that when she was challenged for brutal cuts to ScotRail’s services when asked by the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon tried to shift the blame on the workers, claiming they were “forced by a pay dispute”.
The party said it reflected ScotRail’s apologies in recent days as the besieged operator struggled to justify the widespread outage.
However, Scottish Labor responded to what they called “cynical nonsense”, arguing that the main problem was the long shortage of drivers due to poor workforce planning, which was hidden from drivers who agreed to work on weekends and take huge amounts. overtime.
It says that as of May 20, there is not a single job for a ScotRail driver that has been advertised on their website – despite allegations by Transport Minister Jenny Gilroot.
A spokesman for the Scottish Labor Labor Party said: “It is a shame to see Nicolas Sturgeon withdraw from the ScotRail book and try to shift the blame for the government’s failures onto front-line workers.
“This cynical nonsense will do nothing to solve the real problems or help the passengers who are blocked by this horribly bad service.
“Railway workers are trying to keep things going despite years of mismanagement and failed workforce planning – and in return SNP and ScotRail are pointing the finger at them, while failing to announce any jobs.
“Public property was supposed to be a new beginning, but instead passengers receive higher fares, more cancellations and the same old excuses.
“Instead of trading ScotRail’s turnover, the SNP government needs to show some leadership and act to tackle the labor crisis at the heart of this mess.”
Phil Campbell, ScotRail’s Head of Customer Operations, said: “We will be issuing travel tips for upcoming international teams in Scotland before the Games.
RMT has confirmed that railway workers will be voted on strike.
The unions said the timing of the strike would be determined in a timely manner.
Asked if the reduced schedule would take effect by next summer, Minister Jenny Gilroot said: “Absolutely not. We want the unions to return to the table. But it is absolutely true to say that the network depends on weekends at the moment.
She added: “We need to reach a resolution on pay, and I am absolutely committed to doing so with our union partners.”
A typical ScotRail qualified driver’s salary earns £ 52,000, and drivers are offered a 2.2% salary increase and the opportunity to participate in a revenue-sharing agreement that will lead to a total package of up to 7%.
The RMT union said workers had already been subjected to multiple wage freezes and real cuts in living standards.
RMT Secretary General Mick Lynch said: “ScotRail needs to put its hands deeper in its pockets and start rewarding its employees properly.
“We are in the midst of a brutal cost of living crisis for workers, but it is still time for a party for shareholders, speculators and big business leaders.
“All we want is a reward for wages that reflects the value of the railway workers and the service they provide to the public day after day.”
Ms Gilrut said rail service cuts were the “opposite of chaos” after meeting with train operators yesterday
She said: “It will not be a summer of chaos. I would not describe it that way.
“In fact, the reduced service is considered necessary by Scotrail, we must remember to give security to passengers.
“So, it’s the opposite of chaos, maybe because in the next few weeks it’s certain where and when they can travel by train, but it’s not where we need to be in terms of supply. I accept that.
“I am absolutely committed to working with ScotRail and our union partners to get to a better place, but this requires both ScotRail and the unions to work together.
Earlier yesterday, Aslef’s Scottish organizer Kevin Lindsey said: “The public needs honesty and action, not political games.
“Aslef has been 100% committed to the negotiations since day one.
“The reality is that we are still waiting for talks after our five-minute meeting on May 4. Since then, we hear from them only through the media.
“We did not have correspondence and a written offer at all times. We have not received details of the 2.2% offer or the proposed bonus scheme in writing from them.
“It is high time that ministers stopped spinning and instructed ScotRail to withdraw its attempt to break the schedule, which is more about the bag than the passengers, and return to the table for immediate, meaningful pay talks.
“We remain available anytime, anywhere and anywhere to save the Scottish railways from these politically motivated service cuts.
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