Heathrow Express: industrial relations, corporate dress and other discussions (merged)

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Heathrow Express rail services face disruption after drivers and other staff went on strike.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)) union have walked out for 24 hours, from 12:15 GMT.

The dispute, involving up to 250 staff, follows the sacking of a driver and the suspension of a union representative.

Heathrow Express, which is running an amended service, said it was disappointed the strike was going ahead and apologised to passengers.

It said the suspended employee had returned to work and the driver was dismissed fairly.

The union has set up a picket line outside the entrance of Paddington station.

A second 24-hour stoppage is due to start from the same time on 11 March, while union members will not work any extra hours over the weekend of 3-4 March.

The RMT said the action is in support of sacked driver Zahid Majid and the suspension of Liaqat Ali.

Mr Majid was dismissed after a minor error, for which he took full responsibility, the union claims.

In the case of Mr Ali, the RMT said he was subjected to "unfounded, spurious and discriminatory allegations".

The union's general secretary Bob Crow said: "The unfair and disproportionate punishment taken by management in both these cases is a total miscarriage of justice."

A spokeswoman for Heathrow Express said the union was striking over an issue "which is no longer under dispute".

"The ballot centres around the suspension of one member of staff and the dismissal of another," she said.

"The suspended employee has already returned to work and the dismissal - which was conducted via a policy agreed with the union - has since been withdrawn from employment tribunal."

[Btline]

Oh my, the HEX is out. The whole of west London will grind to a halt! How will anyone get to the airport?

[HexDriver]

It also means that some FGW^▸ (First Great Western) turbo services will be short formed in the morning in order to provide cover for the Padd-hayes portion of the connect, details are on the fgw website

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for that useful information, HexDriver: just for completeness, the relevant link to the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website is http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/Service-updates/Heathrow-Express-and-Connect-industrial-action 

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Heathrow Express dispute: Trains affected by strike

Rail services to Heathrow Airport have been hit by a 24-hour strike.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)) union, including drivers, on the Heathrow Express service walked out at 12:15 GMT.

An amended timetable is being run with trains running every 30 minutes rather than the usual 15 minutes.

The dispute, which is thought to involve up to 250 staff, follows the sacking of a driver and the suspension of a union representative.

The service connects the airport with Paddington Station.

The latest strike follows a series of industrial action by union members.

On 26 February, members staged a similar 24-hour strike, while over the weekend of 3-4 March, union members worked no extra hours.

RMT said the action was in support of sacked driver Zahid Majid and the suspension of Liaqat Ali. Mr Majid was dismissed after an error, for which he took full responsibility, the union claimed.

In the case of Mr Ali, the RMT said he was subjected to "unfounded, spurious and discriminatory allegations" and was now facing charges over conduct and confidentiality while he was suspended.

Heathrow Express said the union was striking over an issue "which is no longer under dispute".

"The ballot centres around the suspension of one member of staff and the dismissal of another," a spokeswoman said. "The suspended employee has already returned to work and the dismissal - which was conducted via a policy agreed with the union - has since been withdrawn from employment tribunal."

[Lee]

Surely Bob wont take this one lying down either...

From the London Evening Standard:

New Heathrow Express uniform ^should be shunted into sidings^

Staff on the Heathrow Express are among the first Londoners many overseas visitors see after touching down.
 
However, critics say the service^s new uniform, to be introduced in July, may leave Olympics visitors questioning British style as they take the train to Paddington.

The outfits, which in business class come in shades of green, aim to convey a look that is ^professional, refined, confident and full of energy^. But they have been slammed for making staff look ^jaundiced^.

Part of a ^16 million re-branding of the Heathrow Express before  this summer^s Games, the uniforms include two-tone skirt suits for women and trouser suits for men - both with waistcoats - and calf-length coats with asymmetrical buttoning.

Made using non-iron fabrics, they will be suitable in temperature variations of as much as 20C, according to the award-winning design company No Uniform. Designer Nicholas Oakwell said: ^The operational requirements have been challenging but we are thrilled with the results.^

However, fashion PR^▸ (Public Relations) expert Nick Ede, co-founder of EdenCancan agency, said: ^They^ve obviously got their influence from the Wizard of Oz. It looks like ^Welcome to the Emerald City^ rather than ^Welcome to the Olympic city^. They^re extremely unflattering and the colour makes staff look ill, like they^ve got jaundice.^

[Tim]

they will be suitable in temperature variations of as much as 20C

what does that mean?  They won't melt?

[Lee]

From The Business Travel Magazine:

New look Heathrow Express

Heathrow Express has revealed a ^16million makeover that will usher in a new brand, new rolling stock and new staff uniforms ahead of this summer^s Olympic Games in the capital.

The majority of the investment has been spent on the development of new trains that will enter service from April 26th.

Signage and ticket offices at both ends ^ Heathrow Airport and Paddington station ^ will be re-branded, while new booking technology has also been introduced.

^Our re-launch is the culmination of three years of research, investment and team commitment,^ says Heathrow Express managing director, Keith Greenfield. ^As London takes centre stage in 2012 we are proud to be the front door to the city.^

The new rolling stock has been designed to feel more like the airline experience, with Tangerine ^ the company behind British Airways cabin projects ^ responsible for the makeover of Heathrow Express^ new first class coaches.

The BAA-owned company operates services every 15 minutes between 5am and 11.30pm, with a 15minute journey time between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington station. It carries around 16,000 passengers a day, around two-thirds of which are travelling on business.

Fares start from ^18 one-way when purchased online, or ^34 return. First class fares are ^26 and ^52.

[JayMac]

Development of new trains that will enter service from April?

Huh?

[Timmer]

Development of new trains that will enter service from April?

Huh?

That's what I was thinking. Surely they mean the current stock is having a refurb. By railway standards the current HEX fleet is relatively young.

[inspector_blakey]

Hmm. That new HEx uniform is a close second in awfulness to Connex's original post-privatization uniform which even included foreign-legion-stype "kepi" hats...

[Btline]

Why waste time doing this? Surely the HE will get axed in a few years!?!

[inspector_blakey]

Erm, based on what, pray? Are Chiltern going to take over?

[EBrown]

I really can't get over that uniform. It looks awful (the man in the middle being the exception)!

[Timmer]

That is awful. Very cruel of management to make staff where this new uniform.