Can anything stop another Scottish summer of discontent?

That rivalry also stokes up union activity on the railways.

ScotRail settled with Aslef drivers in the dispute which rumbles on across England and across the Border.

But this year sees another pay negotiation, and already there’s a work to rule. That means many drivers don’t turn up for weekend shifts, many of which are rostered on an overtime, ‘goodwill’ basis.

ScotRail responded by switching to a temporary, reduced timetable.

Aslef and the other unions, the RMT and TSSA, are now looking to use strike action, having rejected ScotRail’s offer of a 9% pay increase in six stages over three years.

For at least one of them, the RMT, that extends to Caledonian Sleepers, the overnight services also controlled by the Scottish government, with a ballot result due on August 8.

There are common themes here. Most strike action is aimed ultimately at governments. Strikes are less frequent in the private sector, where unions typically have a much lower membership share.

Where strikes threaten, private sector employers have more flexibility on pay, and can often find more flexibility on changed conditions to help cover the increased pay bills.