RMT to ballot for industrial action.

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

Another point mentioned above - that is presumably intended to cloud the current situation, is that this dispute is about ticket office closures, and therefore hypothetical issues or problems with 'automated trains' are a red herring.  Indeed haven't LU themselves said that even if trains are fully automated they will still be manned, as per DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway)?

Paul

[John R]

Indeed haven't LU themselves said that even if trains are fully automated they will still be manned, as per DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway)?

Paul

Yes, but I suspect they won't be paying 50k pa for someone not to drive a train.

[Network SouthEast]

Yes, but I suspect they won't be paying 50k pa for someone not to drive a train.

A couple of years ago, the salary for a PSA on the DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway) was ^35,550. I expect it will be more now.

Of course nobody gets paid anything for going on strike.

[SDS]

Yes, but I suspect they won't be paying 50k pa for someone not to drive a train.

A couple of years ago, the salary for a PSA on the DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway) was ^35,550. I expect it will be more now.

Of course nobody gets paid anything for going on strike.

A PSA as of 01/01/14 gets paid ^38,542.00 pa, based on a 35 Hour week and 31 days Annual Leave. Source LRD.

Did anyone notice Kings Cross got an enforcement notice served on it by London Fire?

http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/notice_detail.asp?id=183434. Apparently a manager was photographed padlocking a fire exit (Pentonville Road) and then covering up the fire exit sign with duct tape, allegedly.  (My source is very reliable).

[JayMac]

Did anyone notice Kings Cross got an enforcement notice served on it by London Fire?

http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/notice_detail.asp?id=183434. Apparently a manager was photographed padlocking a fire exit (Pentonville Road) and then covering up the fire exit sign with duct tape, allegedly.  (My source is very reliable).

That, if true, is somewhat concerning. At Kings Cross St Pancras Underground of all places. 

[Btline]

A few responses:

*ALL the stations will be manned during operation times
*ALL trains will be manned

London is the main part of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) economy, rightly or wrongly. The strike in London will therefore affect the entire UK economy.
I know that the Heathrow Express will be running. I just find it funny that they think it will disrupt anyone!

For some time now, anybody getting a job on the railway as a driver/guard must know that automation and DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) is inevitable in the long term.
I think it is scandalous that SWT^▸ (South West Trains) pay thousands for "non commercial guards" who only operate doors (which the driver could easily do) and who do not check tickets.
Also, paying an LU operator to press "go" the same rate of a driver is unacceptable.

If we are going to have a viable railway that can afford to expand, the enormous costs need to be brought down.

[Southern Stag]

I think it is scandalous that SWT^▸ (South West Trains) pay thousands for "non commercial guards" who only operate doors (which the driver could easily do) and who do not check tickets.

As someone who regularly uses, and therefore pays, for these services I don't agree with you at all. They provide a useful customer service role ordinarily and a far more important role when there is disruption, or potentially an emergency. Remember that on the latest figures SWT was one of only two TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) that made a net profit for the government once direct government grant to Network Rail was taken into account. If it was such a scandal that SWT employ non-commercial guards surely SWT would not be profitable.

[tom m]

Its worth noting that hex often operates as a double train without interconnected cabs, the onboard staff are present to help evacuate the rear train should it be required as the driver does not have access to the rear train without stepping onto the trackside. This is one of the items under dispute with RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) and hex.

[ellendune]

RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) does a very good job at projecting its view to the public and the railway operators by and large are less good.  I think the last few posts illustrate that all these issues are considerably more complex than either side makes out publically.

[SDS]

A few responses:

*ALL the stations will be manned during operation times
.......

Really?? Okay why dont you pop down to one of my local (Non Zone 1) stations and find the member of staff.. Oh wait that's right you can't because there isnt anyone there. Same thing happened today (Sunday) barriers in the open setting and the supervisors office blind pulled down with the lights turned off.

Yesterday (Saturday), travelling again from another local station around Lunch time, passenger fell over and quite badly sprained ankle on stairs. No staff. Luckily for the passenger I was able to call LU NoC. LU NoC confirmed that there was no one at the station (nor at the stations before and after) and could the passenger (with the sprained ankle) travel to the nearest major interchange.

So of course all stations are manned during operation times, clearly.

[ChrisB]

the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)^s Executive Committee has accepted all of our proposals outlined in our letter of Monday 21 April 2014 for resolving our dispute with the trade union. The RMT have also confirmed that they no longer consider themselves to be in dispute with First Great Western.

[Chris from Nailsea]

More detail, from the Socialist Worker:

First Great Western forced to end zero hours contracts

Workers in the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) union have forced concessions from First Great Western train bosses. They are to end zero hours contracts and pay a living wage to agency and contract staff working in catering and cleaning.

This comes after workers voted by almost 60 percent to strike and over 70 percent for action short of a strike.

For the first time the RMT balloted all grades on First Great Western. The dispute ended after a resolution was also reached over disciplinary procedures.

The new wage rates are to be set as outsourced contracts are renewed or expire over the next year.

On board catering workers are to be brought back in-house. RMT said it is still fighting for all agency and contract workers to be brought in-house.

[ChrisB]

Hmm, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) think slightly differently

We have committed to consider our position on the payment of Living Wage/ London Living Wage when any contract falls due for re-tendering and have already committed to agree payment of these rates as part of our new contract which has been awarded for train catering provision, which will become effective from Sunday 1 June 2014.

[SDS]

and now there is an issue with TUPE^▸ (The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006. In a railway context, the legislation that protects rail staff when a franchise changes hands.) transfers at Reading and Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context).

[ChrisB]

Presumably a NR^» (Network Rail - home page) uissue though, rather than effecting FGW^▸ (First Great Western)?