SCOTLAND’S trade union movement has called for a “nationalised freight operator” to grow the sector north of the border - but the Scottish Government says it has “no plans” to consider this.
At the annual meeting of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) on April 15, delegates unanimously endorsed a motion proposed by rail unions which argued that the move could “increase rail traffic in Scotland, optimise efficiency, develop the economy, and improve sustainability”.
George Mitchell, a delegate at the Congress from drivers’ union ASLEF, said: “Despite the environmental, financial and social benefits that rail freight provides, the Scottish Government does not itself have a true stake in it, yet it is responsible for the infrastructure and has set a growth target of 8.7% across 2024-29.
“This leaves the operation…
