Glasgow's SPT Subway to close as staff strike over pay and working conditions

Glasgow’s Subway will shut down on Saturday as workers stage the latest strike in an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

More than 100 Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) workers are to take part in industrial action, bringing the subway network to a close.

It follows previous walk-outs on June 21, 25, and 27.

Industrial action had previously been called off while staff considered a new pay deal, but Unite the union announced it had been rejected by staff on Tuesday.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s Glasgow subway members are fed up with SPT’s half measures and failure to deliver decent working conditions.

“It has had every opportunity to sort out understaffing, shift pay and working hours. The workers have rightly said enough is enough because the subway is running on empty. SPT know what it needs to do to resolve the dispute, but has entirely failed to act. “

“The offer tabled by SPT was overwhelmingly rejected by our members,” Andrew Brown, Unite industrial officer, previously said.

“SPT has only itself to blame for failing to come up with any workable solution to this dispute, which stretches back to last year.”

The dispute centres on the working conditions of SPT workers as Unite claims the subway system is “struggling” to operate due to chronic understaffing.

The union says train drivers and station staff are routinely working up to ten hours beyond contracted hours to keep the system operating without any improvements to shifts, overtime, and weekend allowances.

Unite said its members are also repeatedly called in to work shifts at short notice, which leads to significant work-life pressures.

SPT said it is “disappointed” workers have resorted to striking, but maintained it will work with the union to resolve any issues.

Director of transport operations at SPT, Richard Robinson, said: “To date, all discussions with Unite the Union have been about pay and pay-related matters. SPT has made a reasonable and fair offer to Unite following detailed negotiations with them, which is both affordable and would protect jobs. It is disappointing that Unite members have decided to reject this offer and go ahead with industrial action, which only impacts our customers.

“Currently, the Subway is operating at full staffing. A fact which has been accepted by Unite. In addition, Unite also accepts that overtime (OT) for staff is voluntary and not compulsory. The average OT hours worked by staff is circa two hours per week.

“SPT remains committed to seeking a resolution through positive ongoing negotiations.”