Rail strike vote which would cripple network during COP26 'not valid' claims transport minister

ScotRail staff have voted in favour of strike action during COP26

A vote for strike action by railway workers that is set to disrupt Cop26 is “no longer valid”, Scotland’s transport minister has claimed.

Graeme Dey called for RMT members to vote again on whether to take action over the pay dispute, claiming there is now a “very fair offer” for ScotRail staff.

The trade union announced strike action by ScotRail workers from November 1-12 to coincide with the climate summit in Glasgow and members on the Serco-run Caledonian Sleeper service will also strike from October 31 to November 2 and from November 11-13.

It comes amid a dispute over pay and condition following a ballot in which 84% of more than 2,000 members backed more strikes.

Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Dey argued that “circumstances have changed” since members voted for strike action, and said: “The premise of what was said yesterday is fundamentally wrong.

“That was about that took place before the offer was made many RMT members will have voted, believing there was no offer.”

However, RMT Scotland organiser Michael Hogg said it was a “lousy, rotten offer” of a 4.7% increase which was not worthy of consideration because it required “members to sell hard-earned terms and conditions in order to get a pay rise”.

He added that all ScotRail services could end up being cancelled during the Cop26 conference as a result of the strikes.

The transport minister refused to reveal the details of the deal being offered by ScotRail, or whether it was a final offer, but said: “It was the best offer that can be made in the circumstances”.

He added: “Rail workers took part on a ballot on the basis that they had been left behind from their perspective because there had been no offer made.

“But that is not the case any more. An offer was made, has been made, it’s there and it’s a very fair offer and one that’s affordable for the railway.”