Glasgow will be unable to function during Cop26 because ScotRail workers have confirmed that they will strike over a dispute about pay and conditions. Binmen are also threatening to walk off during the climate summit.
There are concerns that the city could be paralysed by transport chaos, and could become a ‘huge garbage dump’ when it hosts leaders from all over the world in the first two weeks November.
RMT union members said workers would strike between November 1st and 12 after Scotrail failed in negotiations.
Glasgow is likely to be paralysed due to transport chaos. Rail workers are on strike and binmen threaten to walk out. Nicola Sturgeon invites world leaders to Glasgow
For this historic event, thousands of delegates will be arriving from around the world, including world leaders such the US president Joe Biden.
Lynch announced Friday that Scotrail had a golden opportunity to make progress in talks today, but instead they offered no consequence. Therefore, our action throughout Cop26 continues as planned.
“There is still some time to avoid chaos from a transport shutdown during Cop26 if key players make serious proposals.”
He stated that the union was open to discussing pay rises with ScotRail but that the ball is now firmly in their hands.
Lynch claimed that he had written the First Minister asking her to intervene urgently to reach a fair settlement to the dispute. He also accused rail bosses for dragging their feet over further negotiations with just weeks before the summit.
Around 1,500 refuse- and cleaning staff have planned a week-long walkout starting on November 1, at 11:59 am, the international gathering’s start.
He wrote to Nicola Sturgeon: ‘It is entirely within the Scottish Government’s power to resolve these disputes prior to Cop26 begins – it must stop stonewalling key workers and give them justice, respect, and reward they deserve.
It comes after months and months of industrial activity in Scotland’s railways, with most Sunday services being cancelled.
TSSA, which represents conductors and revenue managers at Scotland’s train operator TSSA, announced earlier this week that it would no more take part in industrial actions after accepting a better offer for its pay.
Around 1,500 refuse and cleaning staff plan a week-long strike starting November 1, at the beginning of the international gathering.
A Glasow bin strike (pictured) could lead to the city becoming a giant rubbish dump during the Cop26 climate change summit. Staff are planning a week-long walkout starting November 1.
The GMB union gave the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), Monday to submit a revised pay offer.
One local authority insider said: ‘We could be in a situation where the city is turned into a giant rubbish dump –just as it’s on show to the world.’
GMB bosses have rejected an £850-a-year pay increase for staff earning up to £25,000 and are calling for a £2,000 rise.
Drew Duffy, Senior Organiser, stated: “If strike action is not to be avoided, then a significantly enhanced offer must be presented to give our key employees proper value.”
Glasgow City Council asked the union for reconsideration. A spokesman for the union said that these were national rather than local negotiations on pay. It is difficult to understand how this was done while those negotiations are ongoing.
‘Cop26 will undoubtedly prove to be a difficult and busy time for the city as well as its residents. We urge them not to rush this.
Transport Scotland spokeswoman said that it was disappointing that the RMT hadn’t put the most recent pay offer to its members on a ballot.
She said, “We acknowledge that the RMT finally contacted ScotRail in order to reject this offer almost two weeks after it had been made.”
Around 1,500 refuse and cleaning staff are planning a week-long strike from November 1, after the GMB union rejected £850-a-year pay increase and are calling for a £2,000 rise. Pictured: Street artists paint a mural on a wall in Glasgow
“This is a disappointing reply from the RMT leaders, particularly since we understand Aslef/TSA accepted the pay offer. Unite is recommending it its members, who are currently voting.
“It is therefore disappointing the RMT leadership didn’t put this very attractive pay offer to a democratic ballot to its members.
The spokeswoman continued, “In the interests of collective bargaining,” ScotRail would need re-engage all four unions in order to determine next steps.
“The RMT leadership made it clear that their problem is with rest-day work and that this would be the focus of any further discussions.
She stated that she was keen to see the issue resolved before Cop26 so all railway workers in Scotland can be part of welcoming the world to their country and demonstrating our efforts towards building an environmentally-friendly, cleaner railway.
ScotRail spokesmen said that while the RMT had rejected a very attractive pay offer over several weeks and decided to continue with this highly destructive strike action, it was extremely disappointing, especially considering that other unions have either accepted or recommended that their members accept the offer.
“We are seeing customers slowly return to Scotland’s railway but the scale of the financial crisis ScotRail faces is staggering.
“To build a sustainable and greener railway, and to reduce the burden on the taxpayer, it is necessary to make changes. All stakeholders in the railway, including staff, management, trade unions and suppliers, must work together to modernize the railway for the future.