I commuted to Glasgow for over 30 years until 2010 and in all that time can only remember “skipping” (the deliberate decision not to stop at scheduled stops) once. In November this year, that happened 94 times.

On the only two occasions I was using the train it failed to stop as scheduled at Craigendoran. In both cases it was running late simply because there was no driver ready to take it out.

In the first case the train was on time at Dalmuir but a relief driver apparently was not there. By the time a replacement had been found it was deemed sensible to run without stopping at intervening stations.

In the second case the train arrived in Helensburgh Central about 15 minutes late but instead of simply turning it round there was no driver available to take it back.

This caused it to leave about 10 minutes late and a decision was made to break the timetable contracted with the SPT and 'skip' (run fast to Dalmuir).

As a result passengers at Craigendoran and Cardross had to stand in the snow for another 20 minutes.

The complaints official at ScotRail agreed that this was unacceptable but that decisions were taken in the control room and they had little input.

Your letter writer last week stated that the “skipping” train was recorded as a failure in the target figures and would not have a direct impact on financial penalties to be paid. However, preventing other trains from running late does.

If the original problem is, as I suspect, failure to staff the service adequately to minimise staff costs, then the charge that Abellio sacrifices the welfare of passengers on local stations to maximise their financial profits is justified.

Geoff Riddington, via email

It's deeply disturbing that ScotRail recently cancelled all services on the Far North and West Highland lines in advance of Storm Caroline.

The company has been making much recently of investment in new rolling stock and motive power but it seems that this has been misplaced. In the days of steam haulage, such precautionary cancellations in advance of forecast weather never took place.

Instead of flimsy modern engineering that dare not be allowed out of the shed in the wrong sort of weather, ScotRail should be placing bulk orders for tried and tested steam locomotives like Flying Scotsman for which blueprints are readily available.

John Eoin Douglas

Via email

It’s often said equal pay is impossible – different people doing different jobs, for different employers, rules out equal pay. Does it?

Equal pay is different from unequal pay. So, how come all of those who champion difference exclude that difference? Perhaps they’re just being shifty and want to change the subject away from equal pay for ulterior motives.

Of course, the different pay dictatorship has to do with the command and control ruling class employers have over the labour market. Pay differentials have to do with their political and economic imperatives, profit and loss.

Indeed, it was due to the great pay scam that it is now illegal to discriminate against and prejudice people’s pay on the grounds of any bogus difference to do with sex, colour, race, religion, age or ability...because there is no causal relation between those factors and pay. There is no reason to prevent equal pay across class differences either...except the protest from the different pay dictatorship, which is demonstrably false.

I say, end the economic apartheid, pay discrimination and stop the tyranny of the different pay dictatorship. Reject one rule for the rich and a different rule for the poor. Support equal justice, fairness and equal pay for all. We are free to choose how to cooperate on pay and are no slaves to the unequal pay masters.

James Graham, via email

Budget cuts continue to take its toll on council workers by trying to squeeze more work out of a shrinking workforce and attacks on our terms and conditions. In the meantime our services are at breaking point.

The Joint Trades Unions have continually called on our elected members to scrutinise council cuts and management adjustments and to adopt an anti-austerity approach.

We have given practical alternatives such as campaigning for pre -devolution debt to be cancelled but instead year after year we get the usual, a managing of the decline of our council.

When are elected members going to show a bit of backbone and stand with their workforce and communities and fight the cuts being imposed by Westminster and Holyrood? We want action not words.

The Joint Trade Unions call on its members and the community at large to protest at the December 20 council meeting, gathering from 4.15pm onwards at Garshake Buildings, Dumbarton.

Bring your banners and your loudest voice to protest against the latest budget cuts and let our elected members and council officers know that these cuts have had a detrimental effect on our people and services and that we will no longer suffer for the sake of failed austerity policies.

The trade unions have also organised consultation meetings on the budget proposals and these won’t be the sanitised version organised by the council. We have invited the council leader Jonathan McColl and leader of the opposition Martin Rooney to a place at the top table to take questions from the audience.

The meetings is open to trade unionists and the community at large.

The meetings will be held at Clydebank Town Hall January 15 and Dumbarton Concorde Centre January 25, with a 7pm start.

Time to make a stand!

Tom Morrison, West Dunbartonshire Council UNISON branch

This Christmas, please spare a thought for the thousands of much-loved pets requiring life-saving vet treatment.

While most pets will enjoy spending extra time at home with their families, not all are so lucky.

Every December, pet wellbeing charity PDSA cares for 50,000 pets in need.

Without our dedicated vet teams, many of these pets would have nowhere else to go. For 100 years, we’ve been helping provide critical care and emergency surgery for pets that urgently need us when tragedy strikes. Demand for our vital services never stops.

Animal lovers can help our #SaveAStar campaign at pdsa.org.uk/star or by texting STAR to 70020 to give a one-off donation of £5 (you’ll also be charged one standard rate message*).

From all of the pets you’ll help to save this Christmas, thank you.

Nicola Martin (PDSA Senior Vet)

I am writing to tell you about The Supercar Event which is held in aid of a charity close to my heart and a day out I really enjoyed.

On Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8, Rockingham Circuit will host The Supercar Event for the first time – a spectacular two day festival offering attractions for the whole family including once-in-a-lifetime supercar passenger rides.

I know how much fun this is and all funds raised are donated to The Children’s Trust to help children with brain injury and neurodisablility across the UK.

Every year more than 40,000 children in the UK acquire a brain injury through an accident or illness and the effects are often life changing.

The Children’s Trust supports children and their families affected by brain injury and neurodisability through specialist rehabilitation, education and community services with the aim of helping them to live the best life possible.

Whether you dream of a ride in a Lamborghini Aventador S, Ferrari 488, Pagani Huayra, an Ariel Nomad, or if you’re looking for a fantastic family day out, join us at The Supercar Event and help us to raise £100,000 for children with brain injury and neurodisability.

Tickets start from £8. You can save 20 per cent if you book before December 31 – visit thesupercarevent.com

We are also recruiting 100 volunteers to help us with the event, lunch is included and you will receive a free family ticket so that friends and relatives can come and enjoy the event too.

Call 01737 364324 to register your interest.

I hope you will be joining us there.

Shane Richie (Actor and Supporter of The Children’s Trust)

Many people with the chronic, neurological condition M.E. tell us they feel very lonely and isolated at this time of year, particularly those who live alone with no family or friends to share the festivities with.

A visit, phone call or simply a thoughtful card from a friend could make a positive difference – so if you know someone with M.E., let them know you are thinking of them this festive season.

If you have M.E. and you need information and support, call us on 0117 927 9551 (we’re here until 4pm on 22 December, and re-open on 3 January), or join one of our friendly online forums, open 24/7. You can also read advice from Rose, who has M.E., in her article on coping with Christmas alone at www.actionforme.org.uk/alone-at-xmas

Sonya Chowdhury

Chief Executive

Action for M.E.