The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport workers (RMT) has escalated its pay dispute with recently nationalised ScotRail Trains by threatening strike action on every Friday and Saturday in the run-up to Christmas.
Increased action is yet to be confirmed, but was suggested before a meeting due between the RMT and ScotRail on Friday.
Last week, the union rejected an offer that would have seen its lowest-paid members gain 7.5% pay increases.
RMT’s Scottish organiser said the intensified action will “focus minds to find a solution” to pay rows, as the union also announced action on 19 November, when Scotland are due to play Argentina in a rugby match in Edinburgh.
Three days of strikes across Britain are due on 5,7 and 9 November, kicking off an increasingly busy period of industrial action that looks set to massively impact commuters.
It is anticipated that half of all UK train lines will be closed on these days, with London Overground and Underground workers also striking on 10 November.
Meanwhile, aside from strikes, FirstGroup PLC (LSE:FGP)'s Avanti West Coast boss, Steve Montgomery apologised for extended disruption to its services due to staff shortages, an issue Arriva's CrossCountry has also said it is suffering from.
With an increasing number of services being cancelled due to a lack of drivers, strikes are set to worsen the situation, with staff refusals to work overtime increasing the strain on railway operators.
RMT boss Mick Lynch responded: “Britain's broken privatised model has been exposed for being completely inadequate to the needs of running a modern railway.
"Companies that are making huge profits from the industry and charge exorbitant fares to passengers are trying to blame staff for their shortcomings.”
Government-imposed minimum service levels on transport companies are currently being considered as part of former prime minister Liz Truss’ pledged Transport Strikes Bill, which would massively reduce the impact of strike days.
As part of the bill, operators would be legally required to provide a pre-determined level of service, balancing “the right to strike with ensuring commuters can get to their place of work”.