The RMT Union are going to ballot ScotRail members for strike action over Driver Only Operation.
The union says that bosses at ScotRail have decided that Barrhead and East Kilbride route can run without a second member of staff at the discretion of the driver.
More than 100 conductors will be affected by the plans and these will be balloted for strike action.
The ballot will open from the 20th March 2024 and will run until the 11th April 2024.
“Scotrail are trying to sneak through DOO via the backdoor by putting train drivers in a difficult position, giving them the power to decide whether a train runs or not without a second staff member on board.
“It is important for safety and the comfort of passengers that a second person is on these Scotrail services and we will resist all attempts to endanger our members jobs.
“The Scottish government needs to make an intervention to stop DOO on the Barrhead and East Kilbride routes taking place.
“Members will be incensed at the behaviour of Scotrail bosses and we are confident they will deliver a strong mandate for strike action.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch
No excuse for the inconvenience a strike will cause to passengers who are in the end paying their wages; that’s the theory if one doesn’t take into account the government subsidy.
Driver only just shouldn’t be allowed to happen for many reasons; passengers / driver taken ill, passengers requiring assistance, not to mention safety / security issues, DOO is a cost saving too far.