Glasgow subway closed as workers stage day of strike action

Glasgow’s subway is closed as workers stage a day of strike action.

Shutters were down at station across the city while staff took to picket lines for the first of three planned days of action.

The strikes are due to a dispute between Unite the union and subway operator Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) over working conditions.

The union has claimed the underground is badly understaffed, an accusation SPT has rejected.

The operator had not previously confirmed whether the strikes – which are due to continue on Friday and Saturday – would mean the complete closure of the service, but no stations were open on Wednesday morning.

Unite said the amount of overtime faced by train drivers and station staff, combined with frequent late changes to rotas, had left staff feeling devalued.

Sharon Graham, the union’s general secretary, said SPT had failed to deliver decent working conditions for staff.

She added: “It has had every opportunity to sort out understaffing, shift pay and working hours.

“The workers have rightly said enough is enough because the subway is running on empty.”

An SPT spokesperson said the operator remained “committed to seeking a resolution through positive ongoing negotiations”.

A social media post said that season ticket holders affected by the strikes will receive one day of pay as you go credit credit on their smartcard per affected day.

Last week SPT made an interim offer to try to deal with Unite’s concerns, which union members rejected.

The strikes coincide with three major gigs at Bellahouston Park, which concert goers often reach via walking from the subway station at Ibrox.

Singer-songwriter Sting headlines at the park on Wednesday, with rock bands Simple Minds and Stereophonics taking to the stage on Friday and Saturday.

ScotRail said it would provide extra late-night services from Dumbreck directly back to Glasgow Central station after the Sting gig.

As a result trains on the Paisley Canal line will operate between Glasgow Central and Dumbreck only from 22.00 onwards.

A replacement bus service serving the stations on the rest of the route.