The long-running dispute between the RMT and ScotRail has meant that there have been very few trains running on Sundays in Scotland for several months. We contacted ScotRail and the RMT to try and understand the reasons for this.

ScotRail told us that due to a training backlog caused by the pandemic it is now short of drivers and needs them to volunteer for rest day working to cover the shortfall. An extra payment is in place as an incentive until the backlog is cleared later this year. A similar arrangement had been in place until May 2019 for conductors and some other grades, all of whom are RMT members. ScotRail said the RMT sees this as an inequality issue.

The RMT said, "We are seeking parity with ScotRail drivers [who] have had their rest day working enhanced agreement extended three times. Our members' agreement was terminated."