ScotRail agrees 5% pay deal with train drivers' union

A deal has been struck that could end the pay dispute between ScotRail and its train drivers.

Aslef, the union representing drivers, agreed a 5% pay deal after negotiations with the rail provider's management.

It had previously rejected a 4.2% rise in a dispute that led ScotRail to introduce a reduced timetable when drivers refused to work on rest days.

A similar offer to the RMT union in a separate dispute has been rejected and members will vote over strike action.

Aslef said it would recommend its members accept the increased offer.

ScotRail welcomed the progress made in the talks with Aslef, saying the offer "delivers good value for the public", but called the rejection by RMT negotiators "astonishing".

The operator, which was nationalised by the Scottish government in April, has also warned that another separate UK-wide action planned by the RMT could wipe out train services in Scotland on three days later this month.

The Aslef dispute has led to a reduced timetable since last month, with almost 700 fewer train services a day on weekdays.

A temporary, scaled-back Sunday timetable was also introduced last weekend following several weeks of severe disruption.

But dozens of services were still cancelled and others were terminated part way through their route.

Issues on the rail network are likely to continue, with Aslef due to put the deal to its executive committee on Wednesday before going to its members, and ScotRail saying it could take up to 10 days to return services to normal.

Aslef initially rejected a 2.2% pay offer, before later being offered 4.2% and improved conditions. Transport Scotland - the government's transport agency - described that offer as "both fair and affordable" but it was again rejected by the union.

Kevin Lindsay, Aslef's Scotland organiser, said the new deal represented a "breakthrough and significant progress".

"We are pleased that, today, significant progress has been made in our latest round of talks with ScotRail," he said.

"The offer on pay has been increased to 5% and we have received improved offers on pay for rest day working, Sunday working allowances, driving instructor allowances, maternity pay and an extension of no compulsory redundancies to five years. There has also been an improved proposal around the non-consolidated revenue scheme."

He added: "All these proposals, we believe, represent a breakthrough and significant progress and is a recognition of the vital role our members play for society and the economy.

"The full Aslef negotiating team is recommending acceptance of the offer to our members through a referendum subject to executive committee approval."

The agreed pay rise is made up of a 2.2% increase to recognise the cost of living challenges - funded by Transport Scotland - and a 2.8% rise funded by ScotRail to recognise the "flexibility of rostering arrangements" after the pandemic.

Basic pay for experienced drivers would increase by more than £2,600, taking the salary to £55,264.

ScotRail's new offer also includes:

David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said: "We've made a really good offer which recognises the cost of living challenges faced by families across the country and delivers good value for the public."

A similar offer was rejected by the RMT over a clause about "accepting current and future technology".

Its members were also offered the 5% pay rise, similar benefits and a minimum flat rate pay to £10.50 per hour.

Phil Campbell, head of customer operations at ScotRail, said: "It is astonishing that RMT officials have rejected this offer without even giving members a say through a referendum on the details of the offer.

"I know many staff share our frustration with the RMT."

Transport minister Jenny Gilruth was forced to fend off questions about her involvement in the Aslef dispute from MSPs at Holyrood on Wednesday.

ScotRail had urged fans heading to Hampden Park for Wednesday's Scotland-Armenia football match to revise their travel plans with no services after the game from the station closest to the stadium.

Scottish Conservatives MSP Graham Simpson accused the minister of not bothering to "dirty her hands" with the talks between ScotRail - now run by a company owned by the Scottish government - and Aslef.

Ms Gilruth responded by saying she was "not in the negotiating room" and that it was "appropriate for ScotRail, the employers, to negotiate directly with the trade union to that end".

"That is how we resolve industrial disputes," she said.

The transport minister was also pressed by Tory MSP Liam Kerr, who said she was "abdicating that responsibility" by refusing to step into the dispute.

Ms Gilruth hit back angrily, insisted she had "absolute accountability" and had also answered questions on the dispute on Tuesday and in both the previous two weeks.

Another UK-wide strike action by thousands of railway workers could have a significant impact on services in Scotland on three days later this month.

In a tweet to warn passengers, ScotRail said: "Our services will be affected and we expect the impact to be significant with a limited service operating, if at all."

The RMT Union said it would "shut down" the country's network on 21, 23 and 25 June after talks over pay and redundancies fell through.

ScotRail staff will not be involved but workers at Network Rail, which maintains railways throughout Britain, did vote to strike.