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Rail workers call for last-ditch talks to avoid strikes during Cop26

RAIL workers appealed to the Scottish government today to “lift the roadblock on talks” to avoid strike action during Cop26 next week.

Members of transport union RMT working for Scotrail and the Caledonian Sleeper service will go on strike over pay on Monday and stay out for 12 days, the duration of the international climate change conference in Glasgow.

The workers have rejected a below-inflation pay deal that the union said would cost jobs. A deadline for acceptance of the offer expired at 5pm today.

Scotrail is run by Dutch state-owned rail operator Abellio, but RMT argues that the Scottish government is in control and is blocking fresh negotiations.

Appealing for last-ditch talks, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Time is running out to get a fair deal for Scotland’s rail workers and avoid a shutdown during Cop26.

“We stand ready to get back round the table right now, but the political leadership in Scotland need to lift their arbitrary deadlines and clear the roadblocks to getting those talks back on. We are waiting.”

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