A rail union has said that ScotRail members will continue industrial action into the new year over pay disputes.

RMT has announced that further strike action was being planned as part of a dispute which has lasted for eight months, causing disruption to rail services across Scotland.

On Friday, RMT confirmed that the strike which could bring Scotland's rail services to a standstill will go ahead as world leaders and leading climate change activists descend on Glasgow later this month for COP26.

The threat by the RMT transport workers union to halt all train services within Scotland from November 1-12 is expected to throw into chaos the already challenging logistics surrounding an international meeting aimed at accelerating efforts to combat global warming.

The RMT said last week that a ballot of more than 2,000 members -including conductors, ticket inspectors and drivers – on whether they would support strike action had backed plans for the stoppage.

Some 84% were in favour of the action over what it says is a refusal by train operator ScotRail and Scottish Government agency Transport Scotland to negotiate an acceptable pay increase.

That came after 250 engineers, who provide maintenance, overhaul and repair services for the railway rolling stock planned a COP26 strike to bring the nation's railways to a standstill.

In a statement on continuing strike action RMT’s general secretary Mick Lynch said: "Our members are standing firm across Scotland again this morning in this on-‎going fight for pay equality and workplace justice. Due to the hard-headed attitude of ScotRail, we have had no option but to confirm further strike action by our ticket examiner members right through to the new year.

"It is disgraceful that the SNP have decided this weekend to launch unprecedented attacks on Scotland's rail workers, who have kept the country moving throughout the pandemic and now find themselves under assault from the political elite.

"It's about time those calling the shots in Scotland took responsibility for Britain’s longest running industrial dispute, which is over the basic issue of pay equality on Scotrail. With COP26 looming large it's time to settle the whole raft of disputes on our railways which shame Scotland.

"There is still a window of opportunity to reach a negotiated settlement to the on-going disputes on both Scotrail and the Caledonian Sleeper and RMT stands ready to meet anytime, any place anywhere."

Ian McConnell, ScotRail’s chief operating officer, said: “I’m disappointed and incredibly frustrated that RMT representatives have point blank rejected our latest proposal.

“The RMT leadership, despite stating that the only matter needing to be resolved was rest day working, have now moved the goalposts without consulting their members. It can only indicate they’re not serious about moving forward and delivering a successful COP26.

“Time is now running out to reach agreement and, despite a pay offer of 4.7 per cent over two years, a £300 payment for COP26, and a rest day working enhancement, it seems RMT bosses are intent on sabotaging Scotland’s Railway’s role during COP26.

“With the threat of industrial action remaining, we’re continuing to develop contingency plans to provide a core service for the duration of the summit.”