Strikes trains Scotland: RMT threatens dispute with ScotRail over who controls trains on Glasgow-Barrhead route

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1. Article text:

   >A new dispute is brewing between ScotRail and its biggest union over planned staffing changes when a line is electrified in Glasgow next month, The Scotsman has learned.

   >The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has vowed to fight plans for trains on the Glasgow Central to Barrhead route to be switched to driver-only operation.

   >Conductors who control doors on the diesel trains on the line are expected to be replaced with lower-grade ticket examiners when electric trains start operating next month.

   >This is in line with some previous new electric services, such as the extension of the Glasgow Queen Street to Drumgelloch line east to Airdrie to form a new route to Edinburgh in 2010, which the RMT failed to stop despite a series of strikes. Most ScotRail suburban trains in Glasgow are electric and controlled by drivers.

   >However, the operator shelved plans to extend it to other new electric routes such as the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line after a series of RMT strikes in 2016.

   >RMT Scotland organiser Mick Hogg told The Scotsman: “We met ScotRail last week. ScotRail made its position clear that when Barrhead goes live, they intend to extend driver-only operation not only to the line, but also East Kilbride in 2028 and Kilmarnock in 2032 when electrified.

   >“If ScotRail wants a fight, this is it. RMT policy is for no further extension of driver-only operation.

   >”This is a further attack on the role of the guard [conductor] and has all the hallmarks of the 2016 dispute where RMT conducted 11 days of solid strike action. We won and the transport minister at the time [Humza Yousaf, now First Minister] intervened and instructed ScotRail to settle.

   >”We have asked for ScotRail’s proposals in writing, which they have still not given us. However, the intention is there and we are ready for the pending fight.

   >“The RMT intends to keep the guard on the train as this dispute is all about safety. ScotRail says it’s all about the most efficient way to run our railway. [It is] playing with words. Profit before safety. No chance.”

   >A ScotRail spokesperson said: “We’ve had no notification of a dispute.”

   Not sure how I feel about this one. On one hand, my local line down to Neilston just 2 miles away from Barrhead which will use the exact same trains seems to work perfectly fine without conductors. Same with basically every single suburban service in Glasgow. Every train has a ticket examiner rostered and if they can’t make it, it means the train can still go ahead which isn’t the case if it needs a conductor. Not sure how the RMT can argue the safety case for conductors here when they seem perfectly fine with it just 2 miles down the road. On another hand it’s good to have a second member of staff on board for busier services through, just in case of an emergency.