More than 300 workers employed by ScotRail have accepted a 4.5% pay rise offer following ongoing negotiations.
The employees are general workers such as train cleaners, engineers, ticket agents, hospitality assistants and conductors, and staff who are part of the engineering grades. They provide maintenance, overhaul and repair services for the railway rolling stock.
Those who have accepted the pay deal are part of unions Unite and National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), while those represented by Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) are still conducting member referendums on the offer.
A total of 91% of Unite’s membership supported the wage offer, which will be backdated to take effect from April for one year.
A strike ballot opened on 31 July and closed on 20 August. The union stated that if a successful mandate was secured, strike action could start in early September.
The bargaining structure that covers ScotRail’s general workers and engineers is separate from the arrangement for its drivers.
Phil Campbell, customer operations director at ScotRail, said: “I am pleased that Unite members have voted to accept this pay deal. All parties involved have worked hard to find an agreement that recognises the hard work of staff, as well as providing value for money for the public finances. We look forward to continuing our work with the union’s members to encourage more people to choose to travel by rail as a safe, reliable and green form of public transport.”
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, added: “Unite’s Scotrail membership have given their overwhelming support to a decent wage deal. We are pleased to have successfully negotiated a significant boost to our members’ take-home pay.”
Pat McIlvogue, industrial officer at Unite, said: “The Scotrail pay offer is a credible one. It provides a solid platform for securing better jobs, pay and conditions going forward.”
RMT was contacted for comment prior to publication.
