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THE RMT accused ScotRail today of trying to turn its trains into a holiday camp for scabs as it revealed that strike breakers are being treated to high-end lunch boxes and luxury working conditions.
Representatives of the rail union hit out at the Scottish train operator, alleging that managers brought in to cover for striking staff were given packed lunches and “luxury” working conditions in a bid to break action by conductors and ticket inspectors.
Workers in those categories will strike again tomorrow in two separate disputes involving demands for justice and equality in enhanced payments for rest-day working. They want their enhancements brought into line with those received by other ScotRail grades.
Protests have been taking place across Scotland for months, with the RMT calling on ScotRail to stop its “stupid games” and come to the negotiating table.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Not only are Abellio playing fast and loose on safety by drafting in managers to scab on the dispute with only cursory training but they are also treating it like a beano, with packed lunches and the kind of treatment permanent staff could only dream of.
“It's a disgrace that, rather than sitting down with the union to negotiate a way forward, ScotRail are taking this cavalier and contemptuous approach to their front-line staff, the taxpayer and the travelling public.”
ScotRail rejected the allegations, with a spokesman telling the Star that they were a “desperate attempt” by the union to justify a “wrong and divisive” action.
He added: “The main part of that lunch, which includes a piece of fruit and water, is a Pot Noodle.”