Strike action is continuing for rail workers today, bringing services across Scotland to a standstill.
ScotRail workers from the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) have downed tools for 24 hours amidst an ongoing pay dispute.
Just three services are running in the Central Belt, with no trains in Grampian and the Highlands today.
It comes after workers refused a revised 5% pay offer from ScotRail to non-driving workers.
Cleaners, conductors, dispatchers, station staff and ticket examiners are among those taking part in the industrial action.
Mick Hogg, RMT regional organiser for Scotland, spoke on today’s Good Morning Scotland (GMS) from the picket line at Edinburgh Waverly station.
He said ScotRail’s 5% pay deal is simply “not enough” for rail workers.
He said: “As far as RMT is concerned it is not enough and we are sick to the back teeth of actually fighting over the scraps.
“I represent the vast majority of rail workers within Scotrail and the 5% is not good enough.”
Union bosses and rail workers vow to keep fighting
Mr Hogg added: “What we are looking for is a substantial increase in the percentage offer that actually is in line with the cost-of-living crisis. If the government can give a 10% increase to refuge workers and teachers…it is good enough for railway workers.
“We have a situation where we have the chief executive officer who does a three-day week on a colossal salary of £120,000. If it is good enough for the bosses, its good enough for the rail workers.”
Mr Hogg urged members of the Scottish Government to get round the table to find a solution to this growing crisis as they vow to keep fighting.
He said: “As far as RMT is concerned, we are prepared to fight and keep fighting until we get a pay increase which reflects the cost-of-living crisis.”
ScotRail bosses are warning of widespread disruption as only three services in the Central Belt are in operation today.
Speaking on GMS, ScotRail’s communications director David Ross apologised to customers for the disruption.
He said: “I’m very sorry to passengers for the disruption. As a result of the RMT strike today, we are only operating on three routes and that’s Milngavie to Edinburgh via Glasgow, Glasgow to Larkhall and Glasgow to Lanark.
“If you are not on those routes you will not see a service.”
Train services across the country have been crippled on a number of occasions in recent months as rail workers stage industrial action.
On October 1 and 8, Network Rail workers from RMT went on strike over pay, jobs and working conditions.
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