DOUGLAS Ross must be “disappointed” that the threat of rail strikes during COP26 has been averted, the First Minister pointed out this afternoon.

During First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish Conservative leader attacked the deal between ScotRail, the Scottish Government and the RMT union, questioning why they “suddenly” decided to accept the agreement.

He was critical that the long-term rail dispute took world leaders visiting Scotland for the climate summit in order for a resolution to be found. Sunday services have been extremely limited as part of the same industrial action for many months.

The deal struck last night includes a 2.5% pay rise, backdated to April, as well as a COP26 payment of £300 for staff. There is also a three-hour book on allowance applied to each rest day worked, which will be applicable for three months from the date of agreement.

Nicola Sturgeon said the agreement with RMT was “virtually identical” to the deals accepted by other transport unions earlier this week.

Ross rejected that description, and went on: “What the First Minister didn’t say in her first answer or her second answer was sorry. Sorry to the people of Scotland, who have been waiting for months for her government to step up and resolve these issues. It has been resolved now, but it should have resolved far sooner, because people have been struggling with these strikes since March.”

During his questioning, the Moray MP also expressed concerns over potential protests at next week’s UN climate summit in Glasgow and asked if there would be a “zero-tolerance approach to protests that disrupt people going to their work”.

Sturgeon responded by first suggesting Ross wanted the strike action to go ahead.

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“I think what Douglas Ross is really displaying here, if truth be told, is a real disappointment that the rail strike has been resolved. Because he would have rather seen it continue.

“He wants to know the detail … given that he didn’t check the detail before coming into the Chamber today … the deals already agreed by the other unions consisted of for the first year 2.5% backdated for 2021, a £300 COP26 payment and a rest-day working agreement.

"The deal agreed with the RMT last night consisted of a 2.5% backdated for 2021, a £300 COP26 payment and a rest-day working agreement. So that sounds to me pretty identical to the one that had already been agreed by three of the four unions.

“It’s good news for those who travel on our railways. It’s good news for the Scottish population, which is probably why Douglas Ross is so deeply irritated by it.”

On protests, the First Minister said Police Scotland had made clear that there will be sensitive policing at COP26, with everything possible done to facilitate appropriate and peaceful protest. However those that break the law or disrupt beyond “what is reasonable” will see a response.

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“People do want to come and make their voices heard, I think that is understandable given the importance of the issues under discussion. But I would say to people looking to come to protest in Glasgow, do it peacefully and do it with the recognition that the people of Glasgow are agreeing to host this conference, are suffering some disruption because of that, so don’t add to that disruption for them, but let’s all get behind those who will be negotiating, I hope, a good outcome for the future of the planet.”

In his contribution Ross suggested the First Minister should “show some humility” after rail passengers faced disruption for a long period this year.

The Scottish Conservative leader asked if Sturgeon is confident about COP26, noting it had been a “rocky road” to get here given the strike threat and travel disruption fears.

The First Minister said she is confident, but reminded Ross that the UK Government is the one in charge of hosting the event. “Douglas Ross is actually sounding a bit disappointed that the UK Government decided to bring COP26 to Glasgow,” she joked. “Perhaps he wants to direct some of these concerns to them.”