SCOTRAIL is set to be rocked by further strikes after engineers represented by Unite the Union voted in favour of industrial action. 

Hundreds of engineers at Abellio Scotrail will walk out after a collapse in pay talks with train bosses, the union claim. 

A ballot returned a vote of 78% in support of striking on a 68.4% turnout and it is now expected to take place from the middle of this month.

According to the union, Abellio has failed to make a meaningful pay offer as well as withholding a number of entitlements such as the rest day working agreement.

Unite has called for a "substantial" increase in pay, greater flexibility in annual leave entitlement and a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies. The union claims these have all been rejected by the company.

Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: “The mandate Unite has received from its members at Abellio Scotrail is an indictment of the company's behaviour and attitude towards its workers.

"The reality is the working relationship between Unite, and for that matter all trade unions, with Abellio is virtually non-existent. Unite’s members have had their terms and conditions cut, while Abellio also refuse to offer a decent pay rise. The ballot result is the inevitable outcome when workers are treated with no respect.

"Abellio has a final opportunity to get back round the table to meaningfully and positively resolve this dispute. If they do not then strike action and action short of strike will start from the middle of September.”