LONDON — The two sides in the ScotRail pay dispute are holding a meeting hours before another 24-hour strike is due to begin, BBC News reports.
The talks, mediated by the conciliation service ACAS, are the latest attempt to reach a settlement in the row which has caused major transport problems.
Members of Aslef and the Rail Maritime and Transport union on ScotRail staged a 24-hour walkout last Friday, causing the company to cancel all its services.
Another strike is planned on Wednesday, followed by two further stoppages later this month as part of the union campaign for a substantial pay rise.
Leaders of the two unions are meeting ScotRail managers in Glasgow to try to avert further industrial action.
“We are hopeful of achieving a settlement,” said an Aslef official.
ScotRail, which is facing huge losses this year, said it had made a “last ditch” offer before Friday’s stoppage of 16.5%, including self-financed flexibility measures, that would raise drivers’ salaries from £23,000 to £26,900.
The company said it was also prepared to consider a 3% annual rise which would lift pay to £28,400 within two years.
Pay parity
But unions said ScotRail drivers were among the lowest paid in the industry and deserved a “substantial” increase.
They have also been pressing for pay parity with drivers in England and Wales.
As many as 73,000 rail passengers made alternative travel plans last Friday to avoid the traffic chaos that had been predicted by motoring organisations.
While it is hoped Tuesday’s talks may yield a positive result, any agreement is unlikely to come soon enough to avert strike action the following day.