Potential industrial action over IEP introduction

[whole diary]

[didcotdean]

They have announced that the twitter account will still be active ...

[ChrisB]

It's only the train staff that are striking, I thought?

[JayMac]

All RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) staff at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were balloted. There are many RMT members who don't work on trains.

[ChrisB]

You've answered your own gripe then....it'll be a massive job to work out who might work & roster them accordingly. And you want to know what's what a week out? Right....

[JayMac]

Yes I do. So I can plan my travel.

[Tim]

All RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) staff at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were balloted. There are many RMT members who don't work on trains.

 

With the caveat that I may be completely wrong here.....

Doesn't the fact that the RMT has balloted staff not involved in the dispute invalidate the ballot and make FGW likely to win any legal challenge to the strike?

[JayMac]

The reasons for the ballot are wide ranging enough to encompass all RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) members employed by FGW^▸ (First Great Western).

[ChrisB]

Yes I do. So I can plan my travel.

Go take it up with the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) then. They called the action.

[JayMac]

Their FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff members voted for action.

Now get off my back. 

[Ollie]

Should have some information released tomorrow.

[Western Pathfinder]

Should have some information released tomorrow.

Thankyou  Ollie 

[JayMac]

Yes, thanks Ollie. 

[Ollie]

You're welcome

[grahame]

Not sure if it *should* have been a separate thread, but I've posted details of what's likely to run if the strike goes ahead at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15901.0 - in Across the West. Idea being we discuss specifics of travel plans there, and background here, but we'll see how it goes.

[stuving]

A new dispatch from RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)'s front line facing GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway):

29 March 2017
Dear Colleague

INTERCITY EXPRESS PROGRAMME (IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.))

Further to my previous correspondence with regards to the above matter and where I informed you of the meeting with your GWR Divisional Council Representatives, Lead Officer and Senior Assistant General Secretary and Branch Officials of affected Branches, which took place at Unity House to discuss the following principle guarantees made by Great Western Railway (GWR):

• No extension of DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)).
• Confirmation of current and planned establishment numbers.
• No compulsory redundancies and PT&R arrangements for all grades affected.
• Method statements for new and cascaded trains to be agreed.

I can now advise you that the matter has again been subject to recent consideration by the union’s Executive Committee who recognises the above principle guarantees represent considerable progress in resolving the core issues within this dispute. However, the Executive Committee remains concerned regarding the company proposals in some areas.

Therefore I am seeking the following commitments from GWR which the union believes, along with the above principle guarantees, would resolve this dispute:

• 165/166 units cascading West to be re-engineered with the same door controls and method of operation as the 15 x units.
• That the proposed method of train operation for IEP trains applies to all IEP trains in service irrespective of route.
• That a place of safety is provided for on board catering grades.

Once I have received a response from Great Western Railway I will provide a further update on the situation.

Best wishes.

Mick Cash
General Secretary

Is it my imagination, of has the list of demands changed quite a bit? And while it's not strictly IEP, how is the fitting of extra door controls to 155/6s likely to be seen by GWR? (I presume to add guard's controls at some of the doors.)