FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon was put under pressure over her government’s approach to industrial relations and the climate emergency today, as the opposition called for a “just transition” for workers. 

In Holyrood, the SNP leader was forced to defend both her government’s plans to shift away from workers’ reliance on oil and gas industries as well as lack of intervention in a long-running dispute over Scotland’s railways. 

Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba questioned what action the government is taking to secure a future for workers ahead of November’s Cop26 climate summit in Scotland. 

Ms Villalba, who represents North East Scotland, where the energy sector is particularly prominent, said Holyrood cannot make the same mistakes as the Tories in leaving communities behind, calling for the backing of a skills passport from the SNP. 

Ms Sturgeon said that the proposal was constructive and would be considered, but that her government was “serious about a just transition,” having memories of deindustrialisation in her own community. 

The First Minister said that oil and gas licences were reserved to Westminster, but that Scottish ministers had worked with those most impacted, calling for conditionality on any drilling licences. 

Green MSPs on the opposition benches also questioned the First Minister, with Maggie Chapman questioning what talks have taken place with both the RMT and ScotRail on months-long strike action. 

Ms Chapman said it seems Abellio has little interest in working responsibly, calling for assurances that workers and passengers will be included in ScotRail’s governance structure when it enters public hands next year. 

The SNP leader said she expected fair work to be at the heart of ScotRail’s service, but did not commit to worker representation. 

The First Minister said that ministers have met trade unions and have expressed their disappointment at the effect the disputes are having on Scotland’s rail network, calling for parties to get around the table. 

Ms Sturgeon also argued for the introduction of vaccine passports, claiming these would add a new level of protection against “super-spreader events.” 

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar hit out at the Scottish government’s plans, claiming documentation published by ministers offers no evidence that the certification would halt the spread of the virus, questioning whether a consultation on vaccine passports had taken place.