Deal ends subway strike

SPT sacked many of its underground drivers

A strike which closed Glasgow Underground for three days is over after a deal was struck between unions and management.

A breakthrough was made on Friday during four hours of negotiations involving Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) and the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G).

In a joint statement, the two sides said that 35 drivers who had been sacked by SPT for taking unofficial action on Wednesday would get their jobs back.

Thousands of commuters are affected

However, it appears unlikely that subway services will resume until Saturday.

T&G regional secretary Andy Baird and SPT director general Malcolm Reed said: "T&G Scotland and SPT are pleased to announce that mutual issues have been resolved and are now taking steps to resume the subway service as soon as possible.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to passengers during this period by the unofficial action.

"Both parties agree that the monitoring of CCTV will increase passenger and staff security and have reached and agreement to allow this to happen.

"On this basis, drivers will be reinstated forthwith."

Wildcat action

The row caused disruption to thousands of commuters in the city.

It centred on training issues and drivers' unrest over CCTV operator roles for new drivers.

All but seven of SPT's 42 drivers were dismissed after they took wildcat strike action on Wednesday.

Our members had concerns that CCTV was not being monitored all the time

Andy Baird
T&G regional secretary

Drivers who had been given dismissal notices were turned away on Thursday when they turned up for shifts at the Govan depot.

SPT initially said that the sacked staff would not be re-employed.

However, Mr Baird said the union was "very pleased" that the drivers had been reinstated.

And he told BBC Scotland: "Our members had concerns that CCTV was not being monitored all the time.

"We have reached an understanding now that after suitable training all workers will be involved in the operation of CCTV.

"We would hope that would make it a safer work environment and a safer environment for people to travel in."