Industrial action has no impact on rail travellers in Swansea - 26 April 2013

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the South Wales Evening Post:

Industrial action by union members angry over the dismissal of a conductor had no impact on rail travellers in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot today.
Members of the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) union went on strike over the response by First Great Western to an incident involving Andrew Davies.


RMT general secretary Bob Crow

He was dismissed following an investigation in August last year in connection with an incident while he was off duty on a train from Paddington to Swansea.

The strike started at 8am and was due to run until 7.59am tomorrow.

A spokesman for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) said: "FGW is extremely disappointed that our train managers based at Swansea, and the RMT, have chosen to take this action, which defends the unacceptable behaviour of former train manager, Andrew Davies, when travelling off duty on one of our trains. FGW has a code of conduct which we expect all of our staff to comply with whether on duty or off. Our decision follows a British Transport Police investigation into drunk and disorderly conduct on a Paddington to Swansea service after a football match in August last year.

"The strike had no impact on our services. We run 1,500 plus services a day and the numbers we run to and from Swansea in that bigger picture are very limited. As a company, we take on people as apprentices or trainees and people have a great ability with this company to progress and do different roles. While someone might not be in Swansea now, they may have worked as a train manager before. We have drafted in people who have the experience. Our staff work on a shift basis. With the time we had available to us, we managed to roster enough employees to cover the services that we anticipated would not be covered."

The RMT believes FGW failed to recognise Mr Davies's 30 years of unblemished service with the company.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT members have chosen to support the union and to stand together in solidarity to protect a fellow colleague in this unfair dismissal dispute. Management can be in no doubt that the union will not stand by and allow them to treat their employees with this kind of contempt. RMT remains available for talks aimed at resolving this issue through negotiation."

[JayMac]

30 years unblemished service does not excuse drunk and disorderly behaviour in your workplace, even when off duty. I'm somewhat surprised that Mr Davies' colleagues are supporting him. Rather gives the impression that behaviour that requires the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) to attend and investigate is okay when it's 'one of your own'. The response from these staff if it was Joe Public who'd had his collar felt would be, "Tough t***y mate. Brought it on yourself."

Well done to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) for covering all scheduled services so this ill-judged strike didn't affect the travelling public.

[trainer]

This seems to be one of those strikes which is intended to show management that they only manage by the consent of the Union. Bob Crow's attitude often comes across as confrontational for the sake of it, but he cannot call out the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) on a whim and his members seem to have voted for such (in)action.  However, I also note that enough non-RMT members (or rebels of the union) are available to cover the shifts, so maybe, the old ways of confrontation are being eroded.

Unions are an important part of running efficient industry (IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion)) so it's a shame when they appear to defend what many people would believe to be indefensible and some leaders' attitudes dig in a non-cooperative approach rather than seek high standards.

Having said that, I would hate to see bullying managers have their way.  In this instance, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) don't appear to have fallen into that category and, like BNM, I wonder that so many colleagues who put up with so much nonsense from drunk pax are prepared to lose pay over the matter.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Purely in the interests of impartiality, may I offer some further details on this particular story, from the Socialist Party:

Strike by Swansea RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) train managers

Alec Thraves spoke to Peter Skelly, full time RMT regional organiser on the protest outside Swansea station: "The one day strike has arisen because one of our train managers [ticket inspectors/guards] has been disgracefully sacked after an incident which occurred on a train when he was on leave.

"This incident was never reported by any passengers, train manager nor the transport police who were called to the incident.

"Our member, some weeks later was called to an interview and dismissed, his appeal failed and he remains sacked! That's why our members have voted to take this day of action.

"This could obviously have serious consequences in the future for our members. First Great Western seem to be adopting a 'shoot at first sight' policy which our union is determined to oppose by all means necessary".

[ellendune]

"This incident was never reported by any passengers, train manager nor the transport police who were called to the incident.

So who did call the transport police then?

[trainer]

Thanks Chris.  Always helps to have full info.  I am intrigued to know why the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) (British Transport Police) having been called to an incident 'did not report it' and how train staff who must have been involved also neglected to mention it. In fact, if everyone involved kept quiet, how did this even get out?  A mystery indeed.

[devon_metro]

impartiality,  Socialist Party:

Not two words I tend to associate with one another!

[Chris from Nailsea]

I am the one being impartial, in posting thus. And there are three words there.

[JayMac]

impartiality,  Socialist Party:

Not two words I tend to associate with one another!

Made me laugh did that. And I was thinking the same. Even if it is actually three words.  

What I'm struggling to understand is, if the union believe that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have erred in sacking Mr Davies, why he, with the union's support, haven't gone down the route of an employment tribunal. I can only draw the conclusion that they haven't because legal advice said there was no case to answer. There is of course a slim possibility that there has been an employment tribunal that hasn't been reported, either at the time, or as a factor in the reasons for this strike.

[devon_metro]

Indeed three words, but for the sake of ease I was grouping Socialist Party together.

As I understand from other sources, the former TM^‡(resolve) in question has since gained employment elsewhere...

[Chris from Nailsea]

Indeed three words, but for the sake of ease I was grouping Socialist Party together.

Fair enough, devon_metro. 

[JayMac]

As I understand from other sources, the former TM^‡(resolve) in question has since gained employment elsewhere...

...in the rail industry as a TM or similar?

And if those sources are other public internet forums, would you care to share? 

[devon_metro]

As I understand from other sources, the former TM^‡(resolve) in question has since gained employment elsewhere...

...in the rail industry as a TM or similar?

And if those sources are other public internet forums, would you care to share? 

I've no idea where/doing what! Source is WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes), so it's visible if you are a member!