Glasgow subway closed as workers stage day of strike action

Workers on the picket line outside Govan subway

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

Shutters were down at stations 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.

Andrew Brown, an industrial officer with Unite, said the "ball is in SPT's court" regarding the dispute.

He said: "Our members appreciated the public support on the picket lines which demonstrates that the people of Glasgow understand the pressures facing our members.

"Unite remains willing to discuss with SPT a solution to the dispute on the basis it addresses the working conditions which have been unacceptable and unsustainable for years."

He added that "no further talks are scheduled" with SPT regarding the strikes.

Three days of strike action are proposed

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 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.

Summer Sessions gigs

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 is serving the stations on the rest of the route.