Rail union RMT is staging a protest on Monday after claiming ScotRail is "sabotaging" talks over driver-only trains.

The rail operator, which is facing a series of strikes in a dispute over the plans, has been accused of refusing to attend peace talks.

The RMT union said ScotRail was refusing to meet at the conciliation service Acas to try to resolve the dispute. ScotRail denied the claim.

RMT members will stage a series of walkouts in the coming weeks, starting with a 24-hour strike on Tuesday.

General secretary Mick Cash said: "It is extraordinary that, with the serious nature of this dispute and the impact that it will have on rail services across Scotland, ScotRail have sabotaged the talks planned for today.

"The union has made repeated attempts to get talks moving and it makes no sense at all for the company to continue to blank us unless they are hell-bent on bulldozing through cuts to jobs and safety."

He added: "The workforce know that any extension of driver-only operation is a clear attack on our members' hard-earned terms and conditions.

"RMT members should not have to face the risk of their role and responsibilities being reduced and undermined.

"The workforce also know only too well that there is a very real threat to passengers of watering down and wiping out the safety critical role of the guard on these ScotRail services.

"That is a lethal gamble with basic rail safety."

Mr Cash added: "The union remains available for serious and meaningful talks but the ball is now firmly in ScotRail's court."

The RMT is staging a protest at ScotRail's offices in Glasgow on Monday to demand talks.

A ScotRail spokeswoman responded: "We'd welcome further talks on Monday to prevent needless strikes - provided that the RMT comes to the table without any preconditions.

"Last Wednesday's planned meeting was overshadowed by the RMT's strike announcement on the Tuesday afternoon, which was hardly conducive to constructive discussion."

ScotRail says it will schedule at least two members of staff on board new trains when they arrive, adding no conductor will lose their job or any of their terms and conditions.

The company said 59% of Scotland's passengers already travel on trains where the driver opens and closes the doors and a second member of staff focuses on safety and customer service.