Two new dates of rail strike action announced

Scotrail strike picket line at Waverley Station in Edinburgh. Credit: Steven Scott Taylor / J P License

The additional days of strike action are: Sunday, July 24 – 00.01 hours to 23.59 hours and

Sunday, July 31 – 00.01 hours to 23.59 hours.

The new dates follow a series of strikes across Scotland.

The industrial action is over the union’s concerns about trains operating without guards.

On driver-only-operation trains, the driver is asked to close the doors at stations, instead of a conductor.

ScotRail has said it would ensure a second member of staff was scheduled to be on board every train to assist the driver in emergencies.

However, the company has accepted there are occasions when a ticket examiner does not turn up for work that a train could run with only a driver and Scotrail has said it has union agreement for this.

The union believes the absence of a dedicated guard would make trains less safe.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said: “‎We have had fantastic support from the travelling public for our action as passengers know full well that this strike is all about their safety.”

He added: “The union remains available for serious and meaningful talks.”