Planned Industrial Action

[whole diary]

[Bob_Blakey]

Working on my, possibly erroneous, view that the dispute centred around an attempt by the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) to remove Guards / Conductors from even more services  - a policy with which I completely disagree - I regard this announcement as very good news.
If it also serves to heap more opprobrium upon the incompetent that is Chris Grayling - our elected representative who lectures us on the dangers of global warming/climate change while cancelling numerous rail electrification schemes - that can only be a good thing.

[Timmer]

It’s back on:
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/south-western-railway-plan-fiveday-strike-during-royal-ascot-in-train-guards-dispute-a4155351.html

I thought this had been sorted, clearly not.

[TaplowGreen]

Here we go again...……..hopefully the senior bruvvers will be provided with transport to Royal Ascot, they do love their hospitality!

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/southwestern-rail-strike-latest-royal-ascot-train-guards-london-waterloo-a8961531.html

[CyclingSid]

At least it shouldn't affect the Queen's ability to get there.

[martyjon]

At least it shouldn't affect the Queen's ability to get there.

Her train is operated by DBS^» (Deutsch Bahn Schenker - UK^▸ (United Kingdom) website).

[stuving]

Shh .... don't tell Mick, but ...

French TV have been reporting an unannounced rail strike across much of the country today. Initially it was all about the stranded passengers, and they took a while to come up with much on the background.

Events started with a crash on a level crossing at Saint-Pierre-sur-Vence (Ardennes) on Wednesday (yes - a convoi exceptionnel parked on the crossing again). That train had no guard (controlleur), a practice SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) first introduced on TERs five years ago. The driver - who was slightly injured (the front of the train was pretty mangled) - was reported as struggling to look after himself, the train, and the passengers.

This was not technically a strike, according to the unions, but the drivers exercising their "right of withdrawal" in the face of danger. The government point out that this right (which isn't specific, it applies to most workers) doesn't really apply except to new and unforeseen dangers, and this looks a lot like something planned in advance by the unions as part of their campaign to keep their controlleurs.

English report now available from The Connexion:

[stuving]

I was wondering whether the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) had picked up on this French example, directly relevant to their own campaigns ... but no, and maybe that's not a surprise.

As to what happened next, well the next day (Saturday) SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) had decided there was no future in being conciliatory, and started talking about legal action for calling an illegal strike. The level of service started to improve steadily each day, which is probably what they were relying on. A couple of inspecteurs de travail* did rule that the danger did justify the withdrawal of labour, but appear not to have the power do do so.

The topic has dropped out of the headlines, but that's because it was replaced by two other SNCF stories.  From Thursday, a strike at the depot for the RGV Atlantique trains started to cause a lot of cancellations. Then the main line west of Montpellier was washed away (and other lines closed by flooding). This is not quite Dawlish - 10 m of formation has gone, but not much of the ground the formation was built on, and its repair is due by November 4th. Surprisingly, there is no diversionary line, and as they can't find enough buses no alternative is being offered to the suspended services to Toulouse, Perpignan, and Spain.


* not equivalent to anything here - they enforce all kinds of employment laws

[CyclingSid]

A not very festive December
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50307665

Expected days for disruption:

    From 00:01 GMT on Monday 2 December until 23:59 on Wednesday 11 December
    From 00:01 on Friday 13 December until 23:59 on Tuesday 24 December
    From 00:01 on Friday 27 December 2019 until 23:59 on the 1 January

[Timmer]

Absolutely insane and totally wrong to burden passengers who have to use SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) services with such a long period of strike action. Quite clear it’s a make or break situation to be going to such levels of action.

[bobm]

An added burden for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) customers hoping to use London Waterloo when London Paddington is shut on the 24th and 27th December for engineering work.

[rogerw]

RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) members on SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) must be highly paid if they can afford to be on strike for that length of time at this time of year.  I am sure that the union will not be making up their pay.  Perhaps the union bosses could show solidarity and not be paid during that time

[CyclingSid]

XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) down to Southampton and Bournemouth will be even more rammed, especially when the Winchester Christmas Market is on.

[bobm]

Is there a reason why the instruction not to book on doesn’t include the 12th December?

[Timmer]

Is there a reason why the instruction not to book on doesn’t include the 12th December?

General Election.

[bobm]

Of course