ScotRail workers represented by the RMT union are gearing up for a crucial ballot regarding strike action. This comes in response to the controversial implementation of driver-only operation (DOO) trains by the rail operator, managed by the Scottish government. The RMT claims that these changes would enable certain routes in the Glasgow area to operate without a second staff member, leaving drivers to make the call on whether to run trains alone.
More than 100 conductors are set to participate in the ballot, a move that has raised significant concerns over safety and job security. General Secretary of the RMT, Mick Lynch, has voiced strong opposition to these changes, stating, “ScotRail are trying to sneak through DOO via the back door by putting train drivers in a difficult position, giving them the power to decide whether a train runs or not without a second staff member on board.”
Safety remains a paramount concern among union members. Lynch emphasizes the necessity of having a second person on board for the safety and comfort of passengers, pledging to resist any measures that may jeopardize the jobs of RMT members. In contrast, ScotRail’s customer operations director, Phil Campbell, asserts that the proposed changes will not lead to job losses and could actually result in the hiring of 120 additional staff members.
What You Will Learn
- The implications of driver-only operation (DOO) on ScotRail services.
- Concerns raised by the RMT union regarding passenger safety and job security.
- ScotRail's stance on staffing and operational changes.
- The historical context of driver-only operations in the UK rail system.
