21 April 2005

Four day Subway shutdown

Inconclusive talks were held today (Thursday 21 April) between SPT and representatives of the Transport & General Workers Union in an effort to end the ongoing dispute on Glasgow's Subway. The union presented new proposals which will be considered by SPT in advance of a further meeting on Thursday 28 April.

Regrettably, the four-day Subway strike on Friday 22, Saturday 23, Sunday 24 and Monday 25 April is set to go ahead.

Douglas Ferguson, SPT's Director of Operations, said, 'We are examining the union's proposals and will respond to them at our meeting next Thursday. It is unfortunate that the strike action is still going ahead especially while negotiations are underway.'

By 2006/07, the current SPT offer would see drivers earning a guaranteed income of £19,848, station masters receiving £19,653 and station assistants receiving £16,107. This is before overtime and the 2006/07 cost of living increase are applied.

SPT is doing all it can to minimise disruption for passengers during the four day stoppage.

Two free, bus services are operating every ten minutes between 06.30 and 23.30 (11.00 and 18.00 on Sunday). Buses are marked as SPT replacement services. The buses run from:

• Govan Station to Partick Station direct
• Shields Road Station to St Enoch Station direct. The bus can be boarded at the First Bus 38 stop in Jamaica Street, South of Howard Street.

First ScotRail is accepting Subway multi-journey and season tickets between Queen Street/Buchanan Street and Partick. Car parking at SPT Subway stations is free on strike days.

Subway season ticket holders are being issued with replacement tickets compensating them for any days lost due to the dispute. Hillhead Travel Centre and St Enoch Travel Centre and Transcentre are open as normal.

Further information is available on SPT's website, www.spt.co.uk , or by phoning 0870 6082608.

ends