SCOTLAND’S four rail unions have united in fury against new public-sector bosses for “carrying on where private operators left off” with attacks on workers’ jobs, pay and conditions. 

The unions, Aslef, RMT, TSSA and Unite, said publicly owned Scottish Rail Holdings intended to go even further than failed private operator Abellio by introducing compulsory redundancies.

Scottish Rail Holdings was established by the Scottish government as “operator of last resort” to take over from Abellio when the company’s franchise ends on March 31.

The unions said they believed public-sector ownership would be an opportunity “to rebuild industrial relations following the failed Abellio era.” 

But after their first meeting with new chief executive officer of Scottish Rail Holdings, Chris Gibb, the unions accused him of intending to continue the privatisation disaster.

In a joint statement, they said: “Scotland’s new rail operator has started their relationship with workers in a more confrontational and provocative way than any of their failed private operator predecessors — they must change their ways quickly. 

“To be threatened with compulsory redundancies and cuts to pay and conditions is an attack on key workers who have kept Scotland moving during the pandemic. 

“We are bitterly disappointed that rather than meet in good faith and seek to rebuild industrial relations, Mr Gibb seems intent on repeating the mistakes of the past. 

“This is not the type of publicly owned railway that Scotland needs or expects. 

“The Scottish government are now fully responsible for running Scotland’s Railways. Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson must intervene now.”

Transport for Scotland was invited to comment.