Train drivers offered 4.2pc pay increase

A DAMAGING strike by train drivers appeared to have been avoided last night afterworkers received an improved pay offer from ScotRail.

Union leaders said they will take the offer of a 4.2 per cent wage increase to its members after a day of crunch negotiations with railway bosses.

The move brings hope of a breakthrough in the dispute that has caused hundreds of ScotRail services to be slashed every day.

Around a third of all Scotland’s train services have been cut since

Monday in response to drivers refusing to work overtime on rest days.

Kevin Lindsay, Scotland organiserfor drivers’ union ASLEF, said: ‘ASLEF entered these talks in good faith. We have negotiated a pay offerof 4.2 per cent, a three-year no compulsory redundancy deal and a number of other improvements.

‘These will now be put to our members for their consideration.’

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘We hope that this is an indication that ScotRail can return services to the previous timetable as soon as possible.’

The offer includes a commitment to bring Sundays into the regular

working week by the end of 2027,

which would bring a 10 per cent increase of Sunday working bonuses. Maternity and adoption payments will be improved too.

ScotRail’s service delivery directorDavid Simpson said: ‘Our substantially improved pay offer reflects the cost of living challenges faced by families across the country, while balancing it against the need to provide value for the taxpayer.’

Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth had said she was optimistic there could be the reintroduction of some of the 700 axed services in the wake of the negotiations, having asked ScotRail to consider it.

Facing questions at Holyrood, Miss Gilruth added: ‘There will be more information forthcoming on that from ScotRail later today, I hope, oron Friday.’

Asked about the provision of trains for football fans attending Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine next week at Hampden, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: ‘I’m very confident that ScotRail will have in place additional services to ensure that the specific requirements of accessing Hampden will be addressed and there will be announcements made in due course.’