Rail strikes announced for opening weeks of Edinburgh Fringe
It's as a row between Scotrail and the RMT union continues.
A fresh batch of rail strikes have been announced, affecting the opening weeks of Edinburgh's festival season.
A 48 hour strike will be held from August 7th, then there are further strikes on Thursay 11th August, and the weekend of the 13th and 14th of August.
The RMT is campaigning against the increased use of trains without guards, with drivers opening and closing the doors instead.
They claim it's unsafe, but Scotrail denies this.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: Recent rock-solid strikes on ScotRail have been supported by the travelling public who understand that the staff are fighting for the basic principles of rail safety.
In spite of this, Abellio/Scotrail continue to ignore the strength of feeling amongst their staff and passengers over the extension of driver-only operation.
"That is why we have no choice but to announce further strike dates.
The workforce knows only too well that there is a very real threat to passengers of watering down and wiping out the safety critical role of the guard on these Scotrail services.
"That is a lethal gamble with basic rail safety. We have had fantastic support from the travelling public for our action as passengers know full well that this strike is all about their safety.
The union remains available for serious and meaningful talks.''
In a statement, a Scotrail spokeswoman said: "
"Sadly, this type of behaviour from the RMT has been all too common during this dispute.
"They say that they are open to talks, but their words are not matched by their deeds.
"Just this afternoon we held discussions with the RMT which we would describe as encouraging.
"We talked through some ideas and we agreed to come together again to discuss them further.
“It really is the most extraordinary act of bad faith for the RMT to leave these positive talks and to immediately announce another round of strikes.
"These needless strikes are really hurting our people financially.
"We have guaranteed the jobs, pay and terms and conditions for our Conductors and we have said that we will always schedule a second member of staff on board to look after our customers."
"59 per cent of people who travel by train in Scotland do so on a service where the driver opens and closes the doors, while a second member of staff is there for safety and customer service duties.
"This has been the case for decades. The people who regulate safety on our railway - and we have the safest rail service in Europe - have said that this is a safe way of working.”