THE RMT and ASLEF have clashed over ScotRail’s plans to use drivers to control the doors on trains running between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Bathgate and Airdrie from the end of this year. Trains on the newly reopened line are to carry ticket examiners rather than conductors, and the difference of opinion has been revealed just before the result of an RMT ballot on the issue is due to be published later today.

ScotRail has argued all along that many trains in the Strathclyde area have their doors worked from the driver's cab, in some cases for as long as 25 years, and has promised that all trains will continue to carry two crew members.

The operator has pointed out that the addition of a conductors' panel on the Class 334 units which are due to work the reopened line from December would be very expensive and take time to install. Meanwhile, the new Siemens Class 380 units which are scheduled to come into service on the Ayrshire coast and Inverclyde routes this autumn, allowing the Class 334s to be cascaded, have also been designed with driver-controlled doors.

The ASLEF Executive has voted to accept ScotRail's plans for the Airdrie-Bathgate line, also pointing out that although ten conductors' jobs will be shed, 32 new drivers and 32 new ticket examiners will be needed, with a net gain of 54 jobs.

But the RMT has steadfastly opposed any extension of the driver/ticket examiner system, because it wants trains to retain conductor guards who control the doors. The result of a strike ballot of more than 550 RMT staff at ScotRail should be known later today.

There has been no comment on the disagreement from either union, but ScotRail said savings in employing ticket examiners rather than conductors would benefit the Scottish Government, which would pay a lower subsidy but therefore have more funds to invest in other rail services and projects.

A spokesman for ScotRail added: “The conductors will retain the right to work at their present locations, and we welcome the ASLEF decision. It would be deeply disappointing if this unjustified action by the RMT goes ahead, especially at a time when a number of businesses across the UK are announcing posts are being axed or threatened. The new route will offer major benefits to passengers and create 130 new jobs. No one is losing their job, and current terms and conditions are guaranteed.”  

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