ScotRail staff to strike at the end of October after overtime ban

ScotRail workers are to go on strike again later this month.

The operator received confirmation from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) that members would take part in a 24-hour strike on 29 October.

An overtime ban also took effect for RMT members on Friday, with passengers being warned to expect last-minute cancellations on ScotRail trains.

It is the latest industrial action from rail workers after the union rejected a renewed pay offer last week.

The overtime ban involves non-driver staff including engineers, conductors, ticket examiners, station staff and cleaners.

Announcing the strike, RMT Scotland tweeted: "Now is the time to stand together and win a pay offer that addresses the rising cost of living."

Phil Campbell, ScotRail's head of customer operations, said he had received confirmation of the strike from the union, adding: "We are now assessing the impact this will have on our services and working on contingency arrangements.

"We will update customers as soon as this is complete."

The RMT rejected ScotRail's latest package of a 5% basic pay increase, a six-year job guarantee, a one-off £500 payment for technology such as mobile phones and improved maternity leave conditions.

The company had also put forward a further payment of £390 and enhanced commission for front-line teams.

About 2,000 employees at ScotRail are members of the RMT union.

As such, the overtime ban is expected to involve daily cancellations from Friday.

ScotRail said information on the potential impact on services would be made available on social media, on the ScotRail website and on its app.

Speaking earlier about the overtime ban, Mr Campbell said: "We are really disappointed with this additional industrial action, which will again impact on our customers, following the strike action earlier in the week.

"The ban on overtime does nothing for the railway's recovery during this challenging time, and in addition to the impact on those travelling, it will further cost our staff with lost income.

"We do rely on staff working overtime in various parts of the business as we actively recruit to fill vacancies, and unfortunately there will be some daily cancellations starting from Friday 14 October and throughout the period of the RMT's ban."

He added: "We will do everything we can to minimise the impact on customers, however, there will be some disruption. We advise customers to check their journey before they travel, particularly in the morning before they start their day.

"We are continuing to meet with RMT representatives to resolve this dispute."

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "Our industrial action campaign on ScotRail will continue until we can find a just settlement to our dispute.

"We are open to meaningful talks with ScotRail at any time to discuss all the outstanding issues."