Question reference: S6W-00318
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 2 June 2021 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that Abellio ScotRail has refused to negotiate an equivalent agreement for all general grades, for what reason a rest-day working agreement for driver grades has been extended to October 2021.
Answer
This is an operational matter for ScotRail in negotiation with its staff through established collective bargaining arrangements.
I understand that established rest day working agreements remain in place for all ScotRail operational staff. The exceptional supplementary arrangements for Ticket Examiners and Conductors came to an end following successful recruitment, training and deployment of some 140 additional staff.
Similarly, 160 new drivers have been recruited, but Covid safety restrictions governing training in driving cabs have prevented their full training and deployment and therefore the exceptional supplementary arrangements remain in place until their training and deployment can be completed.