Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[phile]

Sunday’s within the working week will be a much quicker and more effective solution than Broadgage’s, which would take several years to have any meaningful impact, though the principle behind it is fair enough.  Driver wise I believe a provisional target implementation date has been set by both management and unions for the end of 2019.  A long way off still, but talks are ongoing.

Driver harmonisation appears to be closer than ever with a referendum due on a deal which should sail through meaning much more effective use of drivers can soon be made (IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)’s running DCO^▸ (Driver Controlled Operation) on some routes for example).

Plymouth had an industrial relations issue recently, so I expect that’s why there are issues again this weekend, rather than someone throwing an impromptu BBQ - though perhaps that’s happened as a result?

Read in another Forum that a long serving and respected person at Plymouth is holding his retirement do today is the reason

[Sixty3Closure]

I haven't seen this statement from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) mentioned but there's so many threads about performance at the moment I could very easily have missed it.

http://www.clpg.org.uk/blog/cotswold-line-service-problems-a-response-from-gwr/

[martyjon]

Plymouth had an industrial relations issue recently, so I expect that’s why there are issues again this weekend, rather than someone throwing an impromptu BBQ - though perhaps that’s happened as a result?

Read in another Forum that a long serving and respected person at Plymouth is holding his retirement do today is the reason

Is Mr. Hopwood motoring down to make the presentations seeing the rail service is decimated.

[Western Pathfinder]

I haven't seen this statement from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) mentioned but there's so many threads about performance at the moment I could very easily have missed it.

http://www.clpg.org.uk/blog/cotswold-line-service-problems-a-response-from-gwr/

that link is well worth a look over thanks for posting it Sixty3

[TaplowGreen]

Plymouth had an industrial relations issue recently, so I expect that’s why there are issues again this weekend, rather than someone throwing an impromptu BBQ - though perhaps that’s happened as a result?

Read in another Forum that a long serving and respected person at Plymouth is holding his retirement do today is the reason

Is Mr. Hopwood motoring down to make the presentations seeing the rail service is decimated.

He's flipping the burgers on the BBQ.

[grahame]

I haven't seen this statement from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) mentioned but there's so many threads about performance at the moment I could very easily have missed it.

http://www.clpg.org.uk/blog/cotswold-line-service-problems-a-response-from-gwr/

Looks like you found it at about the same time as Timmer ... and we were wondering where best to put it.   As it covers so much more than train crew, I suspect it's worth its own thread - so thank you indeed for first mention, but best in the other thread.   I'll see if I can work out how to split this post off here and add it to the other thread later so you get credit ... a bit nervous about my ability though, especially during the day.

[martyjon]

Plymouth had an industrial relations issue recently, so I expect that’s why there are issues again this weekend, rather than someone throwing an impromptu BBQ - though perhaps that’s happened as a result?

Read in another Forum that a long serving and respected person at Plymouth is holding his retirement do today is the reason

Is Mr. Hopwood motoring down to make the presentations seeing the rail service is decimated.

He's flipping the burgers on the BBQ.

Who's turning the sausages for the hot dogs then, Mrs. Hopwood ?

[RA]

The unions would hate this of course, but ultimately it will have to be done.

Dinosaurs never liked change. They're now extinct.

As I previously commented, it is the cost to the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) that is the main barrier to changing the current set up, not the reluctance of the respective trade unions. There is nothing to stop the TOC making an offer to the unions and staff to effectively 'buy out' the current terms and conditions to facilitate Sunday working within the contracted working week. The other main issue would be a required increase in headcount at each depot of approximately 20 to 25 per cent, a substantial cost. As Sundays are currently worked as overtime, bringing them into the contracted working week requires an increase in staff numbers to cover all the shifts over the course of the week, unless you are willing to rely on covering turns with voluntary overtime and rest day working (just look at the current weekend chaos to see why this would not be a good idea).

[RA]

A little bit of background to how the current Sunday traincrew staffing situation came to be.

In BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) (remember them )days, traincrew pay was comparatively low. Sundays were historically outside of the working week, with no shortage of willing volunteers at depots keen to earn a few more pounds to boost the pay packet. Then along came privatisation. One unforseen side affect of subjecting the industry to 'market forces' was the affect this would have on staff pay. Smaller regional franchises effectively became free training schools for the more glamorous inter-city franchises. To avoid the significant cost of staff leaving one TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) to join another one with better pay and conditions, pay for frontline staff improved significantly across the board compared to BR. A consequence of this is that many staff no longer have an incentive to work more hours than contracted as the basic pay is adequate to provide a comfortable lifestyle.

[TonyK]

I have no proof ... but the suggestion that there's a staff BBQ today seems to fit the bill. To my knowledge Sunday working is still a matter of choice for many / most, so no contractual reason that individuals should choose driving a train over a social with their colleagues.  Indeed, if said BBQ is organised by colleagues it catches individuals between a rock and a hard place of not letting their colleagues down by missing the event, and letting a wider public down by being an element in train services being cancelled wholesale.

It's a nice day for it.

Read in another Forum that a long serving and respected person at Plymouth is holding his retirement do today is the reason

Always a nice day for retirement!

[FarWestJohn]

Even Radio Cornwall was warning of trains cancelled with shortage of drivers today. I don't know what was cancelled.

[nickswift99]

I have no proof ... but the suggestion that there's a staff BBQ today seems to fit the bill. To my knowledge Sunday working is still a matter of choice for many / most, so no contractual reason that individuals should choose driving a train over a social with their colleagues.  Indeed, if said BBQ is organised by colleagues it catches individuals between a rock and a hard place of not letting their colleagues down by missing the event, and letting a wider public down by being an element in train services being cancelled wholesale.

It's a nice day for it.

Read in another Forum that a long serving and respected person at Plymouth is holding his retirement do today is the reason

Always a nice day for retirement!

While I'd never wish someone not to be able to celebrate their no doubt hard earned retirement, even if you take out what would be the Plymouth turns there's still way too many staff shortage cancellations/partial cancellations today (Cotswold/Oxford/Wales).

With less than a month to the next timetable change, I hope GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) take resourcing into account during their planning.

[TaplowGreen]

The 1900 & 2000 Paddington-Plymouth have been cancelled. Nothing more past Exeter till the sleeper. I'm told there are 400 people at Paddington trying to get to the Westcountry. They are being told to "ask staff about alternative arrangements"

I really hope all the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) staff are enjoying the BBQ and/or retirement party.

[Zoe]

The 2100 to Exeter is calling additionally at Pewsey, Westbury and Castle Cary but there still doesn't seem to be anything for Newton Abbot, Totnes and Plymouth (or for anyone wanting to head west from Newbury).

[a-driver]

I’m guessing there will be issues with HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) services starting from Plymouth tomorrow morning if all drivers have made themselves unavailable tonight.