Glasgow subway staff to strike during Summer Sessions
Glasgow subway workers have voted for a series of strikes later this month which will disrupt the service during major music events.
The 24-hour walk-outs will take place during Summer Sessions at Bellahouston Park on 21, 25, 27 and 28 June.
The Unite union says train drivers and station staff feel "totally devalued and ignored" because of working conditions, and are often working 10 hours beyond their contracts or being asked to take shifts at short notice.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said it is looking at what the action means for rail services.
SPT director of transport operations Richard Robinson said: "While we are disappointed that Unite has chosen to take this action while we are still in active discussions, SPT remains committed to working with Unite to resolve all issues as we plan for future working arrangements for the subway."
Members of Unite voted by 97.5% for strike action, with 100 workers taking part.
Strike dates coincide with four outdoor gigs at Bellahouston Park - the Sex Pistols during the Punk All Dayer festival on 21 June, Sting on 25 June, Simple Minds on 27 June and Stereophonics on 28 June.
A continuous overtime ban will also be in place from 13 June.
More stories from Glasgow & West Scotland
More stories from Scotland
Unite says the subway system is "struggling" to operate due to chronic understaffing and that industrial action would cause "major disruption".
The union has warned that strikes could escalate over the summer unless working conditions improve.
General secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite's Glasgow subway members feel totally devalued and ignored. We will not tolerate our members being exhausted and underpaid. The subway system is running on empty.
"SPT has had every opportunity to resolve the chronic issues that have resulted in this dispute but have chosen not to act."
Punk icons signed up for Glasgow Summer Sessions
Subway spends £120,000 after stability complaints
Glasgow says goodbye to old subway trains
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gatwick Airport baggage handler dispute resolved
A dispute between Gatwick Airport baggage handlers and their bosses which resulted in industrial action in April has been resolved. More than 100 baggage handlers, check-in and flight dispatching staff from Red Handling had gone on strike for four days across Easter in a row over pensions and working conditions. Strike action on 18 and 25 May and 1 June was suspended because of the negotiations, which have now concluded. A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said they were pleased an agreement had been reached. The Red Handling workers, who are members of the Unite union, said the dispute was over "long-standing issues" with pensions, including having contributions not paid and plans not set up. Staff had also complained of being overworked and not having proper breaks between shifts, but had since agreed on new working terms which included receiving overtime pay and having guarantees about time off, Unite said. Ben Davis, the union's regional officer, said: "The situation with pensions, late wages and a lack of breaks was taking a big toll on our members and they are glad this has now been resolved." Red Handling has been contacted for a comment. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Gatwick downplays effect of Easter strikes EasyJet to run full service despite Gatwick strike Gatwick strike called off but disruption looms Gatwick Airport Unite the Union Red Handling
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Swinney ‘must be held to account' over Scottish Water pay dispute, unions say
Unions representing Scottish Water employees have said the First Minister 'must be held to account' as staff striking over pay accused the Scottish Government of 'hypocrisy' over its commitment to workers' rights. Members of GMB Scotland and other unions at the publicly-owned organisation began strike action on Monday and it will continue until Sunday. Staff represented by GMB, Unite and Unison previously rejected a 3.4% pay increase covering the last nine months as the company changed the date for annual rises to take effect from July to April. Speaking at a rally of striking workers at Scottish Water's Shieldhall depot in Glasgow on Wednesday, GMB general secretary Gary Smith warned the ongoing dispute could become one of the most significant in the country's public sector and he urged ministers to intervene. Unions also claim Scottish Water has failed to appropriately engage in pay negotiations, and that chief executive Alex Plant attended talks on Tuesday for the first time but only stayed briefly. Mr Smith said: 'How did we end up with workers being refused a fair pay rise while executives line their pockets with record bonuses? How did we end up with a chief executive finally turning up to pay talks after a year and only staying for 20 seconds? 'It is damning of the management of Scottish Water but damning too of the hypocrisy of a Scottish Government that advocates for fair work and the protection of public services. 'John Swinney and his ministers must be held to account for this growing scandal. From this point forward, every time they talk to us about fair work and how Scotland treats working people better, we will point to Scottish Water and its absolute failure to make good on that promise.' Tuesday's meeting escalated the dispute further, with unions now accusing the employer of weakening the pay offer. Workers carrying out emergency repairs, testing and maintenance are now striking, which they have warned will threaten the daily operations of the water supplier. Claire Greer, GMB Scotland organiser, said the unions had agreed to attend the hastily-convened meeting on Tuesday night in the hope of a better offer and a possible resolution. She said: 'Scottish Water has shown no interest in reaching a fair settlement and sat on its hands as a dispute that could have easily been resolved months ago escalated. 'The Scottish Government must now explain to its senior management team why its refusal to clearly and honestly engage with its own workforce cannot stand.' Unison regional manager Simon Macfarlane said: 'Scottish Water staff are very angry in how last night's pay talks were handled by the company. Scottish Water boss, Alex Plant, appeared at the table for less than five minutes. 'First Minister John Swinney needs to step in and help get this sorted. Scottish Water is behaving like a rogue employer, not an exemplar of fair work.' Sam Ritchie, Unite industrial officer, said: 'Unite members are angry and deeply frustrated with the management of Scottish Water. There has been disregard and arrogance shown towards the concerns of the workforce in meetings with management. This dispute is not just about wages, it's about fairness, dignity and respect. 'Alex Plant, chief executive, who received a pay package last year of nearly half a million pounds, came into the negotiating room for all of two minutes. 'If Mr Plant can collect an exorbitant salary from the taxpayer then at the very least he should listen to the staff who earn a fraction of his pay. Talks have hit a roadblock and they are not progressing. 'Unions and management are set to resume talks over the coming days but no new offer is currently on the table which would end this dispute.' Also in attendance was union body the Scottish Trade Unions Congress, and its general Secretary Roz Foyer said: 'The Scottish Government has a responsibility to step in and help find a solution. 'Workers and their unions are committed to securing a positive outcome, not only for their members but to uphold the standards within our public services. 'That cannot happen while Scottish Water continues its intransigence in this dispute.' A Scottish Water spokesperson said: 'This is a matter for Scottish Water and its trade unions, who we value our relationship with. 'Scottish Water has acted in good faith and with integrity throughout these negotiations. 'We have a long history of being a good employer – with wages rising by about 11% above inflation in the past decade – at a time when many people in other sectors saw their wages stagnate or go backwards. 'We've made another strong offer this time that is comfortably above inflation and prioritises those on the lowest wages.' The Scottish Government has been asked for comment.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Glasgow subway staff to strike during Summer Sessions
Glasgow subway workers have voted for a series of strikes later this month which will disrupt the service during major music events. The 24-hour walk-outs will take place during Summer Sessions at Bellahouston Park on 21, 25, 27 and 28 June. The Unite union says train drivers and station staff feel "totally devalued and ignored" because of working conditions, and are often working 10 hours beyond their contracts or being asked to take shifts at short notice. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said it is looking at what the action means for rail services. SPT director of transport operations Richard Robinson said: "While we are disappointed that Unite has chosen to take this action while we are still in active discussions, SPT remains committed to working with Unite to resolve all issues as we plan for future working arrangements for the subway." Members of Unite voted by 97.5% for strike action, with 100 workers taking part. Strike dates coincide with four outdoor gigs at Bellahouston Park - the Sex Pistols during the Punk All Dayer festival on 21 June, Sting on 25 June, Simple Minds on 27 June and Stereophonics on 28 June. A continuous overtime ban will also be in place from 13 June. More stories from Glasgow & West Scotland More stories from Scotland Unite says the subway system is "struggling" to operate due to chronic understaffing and that industrial action would cause "major disruption". The union has warned that strikes could escalate over the summer unless working conditions improve. General secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite's Glasgow subway members feel totally devalued and ignored. We will not tolerate our members being exhausted and underpaid. The subway system is running on empty. "SPT has had every opportunity to resolve the chronic issues that have resulted in this dispute but have chosen not to act." Punk icons signed up for Glasgow Summer Sessions Subway spends £120,000 after stability complaints Glasgow says goodbye to old subway trains
