RMT rouses Caledonian Sleeper staff into new wave of ins

RMT has confirmed a two-day strike is going ahead this week on the Caledonian Sleeper in Scotland.

Workers on the sleeper service have been roused into action for the fourth time following a protracted pay dispute with Serco.

The industrial action takes place between 11th and 13th November.

The train provides overnight journeys from London to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William.

Limited services will be provided to customers during the strike, with 300 RMT members among its staff.

The protest is taking place during the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow with people being pushed to use more environmentally-friendly transport.

This is the fourth time RMT has called for strikes in recent months, and follows three days of industrial action in Scotland at the start of the climate summit in late October.

RMT told City A.M. that staff have been offered a 1.4  per cent pay raise by Serco but the union wants a pay package that takes rising inflation into account.

The rail union has also accused FTSE 250 company and contract manager SERCO of bullying staff after the two rounds of strike action last month.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “It’s time for all parties to take the Caledonian Sleeper workers seriously, get back round the table and give these staff at the front line of our green transport services the justice, respect and reward they deserve.”

Kathryn Darbandi, managing director of the Serco Caledonian Sleeper described the industrial action as “frustrating”.

She said RMT was offered a new pay deal, with Transport for Scotland’s support, but still opted to strike before a membership vote.

Darbandi explained: “To continue with the strike action pending the ballot is unnecessary, unreasonable and very damaging to our employees who will lose more money, our guests and the wider reputation of Scotland’s railway.”