The change would mean trains will no longer have guards to open and close the train doors and, according to trade union the RMT, this is a breach of health and safety.
But ScotRail claims it would cost £1.4 million to convert the trains for conductors to open and close doors. The modifications would also delay the timing of the new route opening, which is scheduled for December.
But the train operator warned any such action would cause disruption to customers - and stressed that it will provide as robust a service as possible should the worst-case scenario materialise.
ScotRail has begun training courses for supervisory and management staff on the operational roles of conductors in the event of industrial action.
Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail, said: "I am clearly disappointed with the RMT's stance because the line creates 130 new jobs and the trains will be no different from those that have operated in Strathclyde for 25 years."
According to Montgomery, ScotRail has taken every reasonable step to prevent industrial action and is available for further talks at any time.
He added: "I would also like to assure customers that, should there be industrial action, we will do everything to keep services running as normally as possible."
Airdrie-Bathgate services will have a ticket examiner on board but the RMT wants the second person to be a conductor who would open and close the doors.
ScotRail claims the majority of its services already run with driver- operated doors and ticket examiners - and have done so in Strathclyde for 25 years.
Montgomery said: "It appears the RMT is now saying these trains are unsafe. But they have run in Strathclyde for decades and are no different from those on the Larkhall branch line, which reopened four years ago without objection from the union."
"Nothing changes with the introduction of the new Glasgow-Edinburgh via Bathgate services - where part of the line already has driver door operated trains. Indeed, the majority of ScotRail journeys are on driver door operated trains - almost 47 million journeys a year."
