Glasgow subway set to close during Bellahouston Park gigs
Unite the union has confirmed that its members at the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT)—including over 100 subway workers—have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, with 97.5% backing strikes over working conditions.
Subway services are now scheduled to be completely shut down on June 21, 25, 27, and 28.
READ MORE: Glasgow subway workers could strike over working conditions
These dates coincide with several major events, including the Punk All Dayer festival featuring the Sex Pistols, and concerts by Sting, Simple Minds, and Stereophonics at Bellahouston Park as part of the city's Summer Sessions.
The Glasgow Times reported last year that a number of punk legends would be performing at the park as part of the Punk All Dayer festival on June 21.
A continuous overtime ban will also begin on 13 June, further impacting operations in the run-up to the strikes.
READ MORE: Glasgow Summer Sessions announced event full of punk legends
Unite 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 has chosen not to act.'
The dispute centres on what Unite describes as chronic understaffing, with workers allegedly routinely exceeding their contracted hours by up to 10 hours a week.
The union claims there has been no progress on improving shift patterns, overtime pay, or weekend allowances, and that staff are often called in at short notice to cover shortages.
Unite industrial officer Andrew Brown added: 'The strike action will cause major disruption across the subway system, but this is entirely the fault of SPT's management, which has continuously ignored the workers' concerns about being overstretched and understaffed.'
The strike threatens to severely impact city transport during key summer cultural events and may lead to wider disruptions if the dispute continues. Unite has warned that industrial action could escalate further into the summer unless SPT takes steps to address staff grievances.
Commuters and event-goers are being advised to plan ahead and seek alternative travel arrangements during the affected dates.
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South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
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Subway workers vote to strike in row over pay and working conditions
Unite said more than 100 staff employed in Glasgow's Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) subway voted by 97.5% in favour of industrial action, with a series of 24-hour stoppages planned later this month. Strikes are to take place on June 21, 25, 27 and 28 while an overtime ban will be in place from June 13. The union warned that chronic under-staffing has led to the subway system struggling, with train drivers and station staff often working up to 10 hours over their contract of 39 hours per week. Unite said that SPT has not made any improvements, and that staff are frequently called in to work additional shifts at short notice. The subway system will be closed on the day of the Punk All Dayer festival in Bellahouston Park, which features acts like the Sex Pistols, Sting, Simple Minds and Stereophonics. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Unite's Glasgow subway members membership 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.' Andrew Brown, Unite industrial officer, said: 'The strike action will cause major disruption across the subway system but this is entirely the fault of SPT's management which has continuously ignored the workers' concerns about being overstretched and under-staffed.' SPT said it is 'disappointed' workers have resorted to striking, but maintained it will work with the union to resolve any issues. Director of transport operations Richard Robinson said: 'We have been notified by the Unite the Union that it intends to ask its members to take strike action on June 21, 25, 27 and 28. 'SPT is currently looking at what this means for services on those days. '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.'
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Leader Live
Subway workers vote to strike in row over pay and working conditions
Unite said more than 100 staff employed in Glasgow's Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) subway voted by 97.5% in favour of industrial action, with a series of 24-hour stoppages planned later this month. Strikes are to take place on June 21, 25, 27 and 28 while an overtime ban will be in place from June 13. The union warned that chronic under-staffing has led to the subway system struggling, with train drivers and station staff often working up to 10 hours over their contract of 39 hours per week. Unite said that SPT has not made any improvements, and that staff are frequently called in to work additional shifts at short notice. The subway system will be closed on the day of the Punk All Dayer festival in Bellahouston Park, which features acts like the Sex Pistols, Sting, Simple Minds and Stereophonics. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Unite's Glasgow subway members membership 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.' Andrew Brown, Unite industrial officer, said: 'The strike action will cause major disruption across the subway system but this is entirely the fault of SPT's management which has continuously ignored the workers' concerns about being overstretched and under-staffed.' SPT said it is 'disappointed' workers have resorted to striking, but maintained it will work with the union to resolve any issues. Director of transport operations Richard Robinson said: 'We have been notified by the Unite the Union that it intends to ask its members to take strike action on June 21, 25, 27 and 28. 'SPT is currently looking at what this means for services on those days. '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.'
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Subway workers vote to strike in row over pay and working conditions
Unite said more than 100 staff employed in Glasgow's Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) subway voted by 97.5% in favour of industrial action, with a series of 24-hour stoppages planned later this month. Strikes are to take place on June 21, 25, 27 and 28 while an overtime ban will be in place from June 13. The union warned that chronic under-staffing has led to the subway system struggling, with train drivers and station staff often working up to 10 hours over their contract of 39 hours per week. Unite said that SPT has not made any improvements, and that staff are frequently called in to work additional shifts at short notice. The subway system will be closed on the day of the Punk All Dayer festival in Bellahouston Park, which features acts like the Sex Pistols, Sting, Simple Minds and Stereophonics. Unite boss Sharon Graham said Subway staff feel 'devalued and ignored' (PA) Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Unite's Glasgow subway members membership 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.' Andrew Brown, Unite industrial officer, said: 'The strike action will cause major disruption across the subway system but this is entirely the fault of SPT's management which has continuously ignored the workers' concerns about being overstretched and under-staffed.' SPT said it is 'disappointed' workers have resorted to striking, but maintained it will work with the union to resolve any issues. Director of transport operations Richard Robinson said: 'We have been notified by the Unite the Union that it intends to ask its members to take strike action on June 21, 25, 27 and 28. 'SPT is currently looking at what this means for services on those days. '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.'
