Underground workers are planning a walk-out next week

The Transport & General Workers Union (T&G) said no to Strathclyde Passenger Transport's (SPT) latest offer at a meeting on Wednesday.

The T&G said it did not meet members' expectation and staff will start an indefinite series of one-day weekly stoppages from 7 April as a result.

The move is the latest in an ongoing battle over pay and holidays.

The dispute involves drivers, ticket collectors and safety workers and began after employees rejected a two-year pay offer and objected to changes in holiday cycles.

'One-off opportunity'

SPT's Director of Operations Douglas Ferguson said he was disappointed that union representatives had rejected the offer.

He said: "For the T&G this was a one-off opportunity to deliver a significant increase for their members.

"It will become impossible to match this offer or better it as the financial consequences of any industrial action will come out of the available money for any eventual wage settlement."

"In the meantime we will continue to try and find a resolution to the dispute and our door remains open for further discussions."

Mr Ferguson said the company would do everything in its power to minimise disruption to passengers and said fare increases, planned to take effect from Friday, would be suspended until the strike action was over.

'Limited data'

But T&G Regional Industrial Organiser Scott Foley said: "An offer was made but it has been rejected as the sums they gave us just didn't add up.

"Based on the limited data they gave us, it didn't measure up to the aspirations of our members.

"We've given them seven days' notice as required by law and the stoppages will resume from next Thursday."

The two sides of the dispute are to meet on Monday in a bid to avoid any further industrial action.

Mr Foley added: "I was quite disappointed by the offer because a lot of time and effort has been gone in to try and resolve this dispute but I'm hopeful that things can move forward."