Train drivers could strike by August should pay dispute go unresolved
ASLEF's Kevin Lindsay says a strike would be a last resort
Last updated 2nd Jun 2022
Train drivers could be on strike within two months should an ongoing pay dispute with ScotRail not be resolved.
A 2.2% pay rise was rejected by drivers in Scotland before an increased offer of a 4.2% rise was shunted by the train drivers union, ASLEF, on Wednesday.
David Simpson, the ScotRail service delivery director, described it as "astonishing" that the deal had not been put to members.
However, Kevin Lindsay, the union's Scottish organiser, defended the move, saying ASLEF had "many different layers of democracy in the union".
ASELF's national executive committee rejected the pay rise, with Mr Lindsay saying this body includes train drivers and is "elected by train drivers to make decisions on behalf of train drivers".
Will train drivers strike in Scotland for the first time in 20 years?
Mr Lindsay stressed that ASLEF do not want a strike, though admits they would take that step "as a last resort".
"I want to reach a deal and go back into these negotiations to try and achieve that.
"However, as a last resort, we would issue ScotRail with a statutory notice then we'll do a ballot for industrial action of our members, and then give them the further notice period required.
"The earliest strike action will take place probably sometime in August, but I stress we do not want a strike."
More meetings are due to take place between ScotRail and ASLEF on Monday.