ScotRail drivers have accepted a five per cent pay increase, their union Aslef has announced.

Aslef said that its members had voted to accept the proposals on pay and conditions from the newly nationalised rail operator on Monday.

For almost two months, trains have been operating on a reduced timetable as a result of a pay dispute.

A reduced timetable has caused disruption to some of the country's largest summer events including Scotland’s World Cup qualifier match against Ukraine at Hampden Park and the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow.

Helensburgh Advertiser: People walking by a Scotrail train. Credit: PAPeople walking by a Scotrail train. Credit: PA

Scotrail drivers accept pay increase to end train disruption 

Aslef Scottish organiser Kevin Lindsay said: “Following a ballot on the improved offer negotiated with ScotRail, Aslef members have voted to accept the proposals on pay and conditions.

“Aslef is a democratic, lay, member-led union, and I want to thank our members for their engagement and response to the ballot.”

Back in May, members had refused to work overtime or on their rest days which led to hundreds of services being cut from timetables.

Later in June, ScotRail offered its drivers a pay increase of 5% following negotiations with the union.

In addition to the pay increase, drivers will also be getting more for their rest day and Sunday working as well as driving instructor and maternity pay.

A policy of no compulsory redundancies for the next five years will also be introduced.

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David Simpson, ScotRail's service delivery director, said: “I am delighted that ASLEF members have voted for this pay deal.

"All parties involved have worked hard to find an agreement that recognises the hard work of staff and the financial challenges faced by the railway as we look to recover from the pandemic.

“ScotRail, our staff, and our customers want to have a reliable, efficient, and sustainable railway that supports the economy and connects communities across the country.

"This deal is a significant step towards delivering that.”

Commenting on Monday’s announcement, Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “I welcome the endorsement of this pay offer by Aslef members.

“We have worked hard in Scotland engaging with the employers to ensure the right offer is put on the table to reach a negotiated and agreed settlement on pay.”

She continued: “It is this Government’s belief that a progressive approach to industrial relations, and an effective voice for workers through trades unions, is at the heart of a fairer, more successful society.

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“I would like to thank the negotiating teams at ScotRail for their hard work, and Aslef for negotiating in good faith.

“The Scottish Government will honour the agreement to fund the previously agreed 2.2% through the public sector pay policy, with the remainder being self-funded through increased revenue and roster flexibilities.”

ScotRail has also said if drivers start doing overtime again a full timetable could return within 10 days, the BBC has reported.

The rail operator says that returning to the full timetable is "a complex process, and is also dependent on drivers returning to work rest days and overtime", but that the company was "working hard to introduce the full timetable as soon as possible".

The main features of the agreement between ScotRail and Aslef are as follows:

- A 5 per cent increase in basic pay - 2.2 per cent funded by Transport Scotland and 2.8 per cent funded by ScotRail;

- An 'excess revenue share premium' rewarding all staff members when ScotRail exceeds revenue budget targets, backdated to April 1 this year;

- A five-year commitment to no compulsory redundancies;

- A commitment to bring Sundays into the working week by December 2027 (currently a full Sunday timetable requires drivers agreeing to work overtime or on rest days), requiring a review of terms and conditions with trade union colleagues;

- Improved maternity and adoption leave payments; 

- A 10 per cent increase in the Sunday working allowance; 

- An increase in 'rest-day working' payments to £400;

- An uplift of £500 to the 'driver instructor allowance'.

Meanwhile, other members of the drivers union Aslef at eight train companies - two of which operate cross-border services in Scotland - backed campaigns of industrial action on Monday.

Aslef members at LNER and TransPennine Express, along with Chiltern, Northern, Arriva Rail London, Great Western, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains, voted by around 9-1 in favour of strikes on turnouts of more than 80 per cent.