ASLEF has turned down a £20-a-week pay rise and is threatening strike action on behalf of its 2000 Scottish members, who earn around £50,000 a year.
Perhaps the leaders of ASLEF in London should take a moment to study the priorities of Scottish Governments since devolution, that began with free personal care for the elderly and has continued to improve the lives of the people of Scotland ever since. Perhaps they need to be reminded that rail travel in Scotland, unlike in England, is subsidised by a government that has to run a balanced budget.
READ MORE: ScotRail asks customers to 'make own arrangements' as train services slashed
Would ASLEF pursue a massive pay increase for their members knowing it would perhaps be taking funds away from the Scottish Child Payment of £20 per week to 104,000 of the poorest children in Scotland?
Perhaps ASLEF is 100% committed to negotiations but given its history of political affiliation to the Labour party and as the first union to come out in opposition to Scottish independence in the run-up to the 2014 referendum, to many this must appear to be political game-playing ahead of the referendum in 2023.
John Jamieson
South Queensferry
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