Train chaos set to ease after after Scotrail pay dispute settled

A recent dip in performance by train operator Scotrail may be about to improve after the company reached a deal with trade union staff over pay and conditions, it has been reported.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have refused to work overtime and on days off, leading to many cancellations and other disruptions while Scotrail struggled to crew trains.

RMT members have now been offered an extra three hours' pay for working on their days off.

However, the Scotsman reports Scotrail will continue to cancel services because of a "shortage of train crew" this week as it trains up new staff.

ScotRail operations director David Simpson told the paper: "I am pleased an agreement has been reached with RMT to resolve the union’s rest day working dispute with us. "I know this has been a difficult time for everyone involved and I hope we can now focus on delivering for our customers as we build the best railway Scotland has ever had.”

Scottish Labour's transport spokesperson, Colin Smyth MSP, said: “Scotland’s hard pressed passengers will breathe a sigh of relief that ScotRail have come to their senses and accepted the case by the RMT to end the two tier approach when it comes to rest days.

"It’s just a shame the company didn’t listen weeks ago and some of the recent disruption for passengers could have been avoided."