ScotRail expresses frustration at rejection of improved pay offer as rail operator announces temporary timetable for Sundays

ScotRail has expressed its frustration after its latest pay offer of 4.2% to Aslef members was rejected, while the rail operator has announced its temporary timetable will now apply to Sundays.

It has already been in place in recent times for Mondays to Fridays, as well as Saturdays.

The train operator says the "temporary change" is due to a significant number of drivers declining to make themselves available for overtime or rest day working amid the pay disptue.

It adds that like many train operators across Britain,  drivers working overtime or on their rest days have had to be relied on.

In 2019, ScotRail committed to hiring more drivers to phase out the reliance on this practice, but the coronavirus pandemic meant that driver training was significantly delayed.

David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: "We’re sorry to customers for the disruption on Sundays over recent weeks so this temporary timetable will provide greater certainty and reliability for customers.

"We’re incredibly disappointed and frustrated that Aslef bosses have rejected this improved pay offer. It’s astonishing that they will not even put this offer to their members.

"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.

"We have offered to meet Aslef but, in the meantime, would urge them to reconsider this offer in the interest of their members and the future of the railway in Scotland.

"We’re asking customers to check their journey on our website, mobile app, and through our social media channels as train times will have changed."

But Aslef is saying it wants a "fair deal" for its members.

Kevin Lindsay, the union’s Scottish organiser, said: "Aslef wants to negotiate a fair deal for our members.

"We are once again calling on ScotRail to return to the talks, so we can negotiate a fair pay offer that we can put to our members."

A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed that Aslef, having given due consideration to the terms they negotiated, have decided to reject the very good offer on the table, an offer which is in part self-funded through increased revenue and efficiencies.

"While we understand any union’s desire to obtain the best deal possible for their members, the stark realities of the financial pressures we are facing across government are evidenced by the Spending Review published.

"We all need to work together to make nationalisation a success. Ministers are committed to ensuring that the railway unions are part of that success.

"However, to be part of the vision moving forward, the unions need to agree on a deal that is both fair and affordable, particularly in the context of wider public sector pay policy.

"While, regrettably, this decision appears to mean further disruption for passengers in the immediate term, given there is no indication that drivers will return to previous rest day working and overtime arrangements, we would encourage all parties concerned to get back round the table to resume negotiations."