Railway union workers industrial and strike action - 2022

[whole diary]

[rogerw]

I have to travel from Bristol to London and back, for a trip on the British Pullman, on 26th November. When are we likely to know what service, if any, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) will be offering

[ChrisB]

A few days before. Don’t expext anything before 0730 and all services to complete by 1830

[Timmer]

Four days away from the industrial action taking place at TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) on the 19th and we’re none the wiser as to what is going to be running on this coming Saturday.

edit spelling

[Timmer]

Four days away from the industrial action taking place at TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) on the 19th and we’re none the wiser as to what is going to be running on this coming Saturday.

Finally, some information: www.gwr.com/strike page has been updated. Still have to wait till Wednesday for a timetable mind.

[grahame]

Four days away from the industrial action taking place at TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) on the 19th and we’re none the wiser as to what is going to be running on this coming Saturday.

edit spelling

from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway):

Dear Graham
 
We said we would keep you updated with planned industrial action that will affect train services. Unfortunately, we have two sets of dates to make you aware of.
 
On both Saturday 19th and Monday 21st November, RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) members at Network Rail’s signalling centre near Didcot Parkway will be on strike. This is regarding a local disciplinary matter and unrelated to the other strikes that have taken place this year.
 
As this is a crucial part of the network controlling all signalling between London Paddington, the Cotswolds, south Wales, west and south west of England, we will only be able to run a reduced number of services and those in the affected area will start much later and finish much earlier than usual. The train schedule is currently being confirmed and will be in online systems later this week. As with previous strikes, there will be a knock-on impact for the days after strikes, on Sunday 20th and Tuesday 22nd November. For further information please see www.gwr.com/strike. 
 
As this isn’t a national strike the level of awareness isn’t high, and will affect many passengers including heading to the rugby at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Twickenham Stadium in London. We’d be grateful if you could share this information through your networks.
 
We have also received notice that the ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) union (train drivers) will be on strike on Saturday 26th November. As with previous ASLEF action, this will severely limit train services and we expect to only be able to operate a very limited service between Bristol and London, Reading and Oxford, and Reading and Basingstoke. Exact details of the train schedule will be confirmed next week.
 
We will write to you again later this week when the train schedule for Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as well as Saturday 26th has been confirmed.
 
Many thanks,
 
Toby and Jane
 
Toby Elliott, Head of Communications, Network Rail Western
 
Jane Jones, Head of Public Affairs, Great Western Railway

[ChrisB]

Melksham & North Cotswolds bott being served I note this weekend

[IndustryInsider]

Melksham & North Cotswolds bott being served I note this weekend

Good to see.  Anything beyond Wolvercote Junction isn't controlled by the TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) and that's the same once you get just onto the Melsksham Single at 96m 30c - but that might not have stopped them from giving up anyway!

[rogerw]

Services for 26th November, such as they are, now on journey planners. Limited hourly service BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) - PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) (0730 to1930). Booked myself a ticket and seat reservation. Interestingly services are not stopping at Bath Spa in either direction. Also hourly Reading to Oxford and Basingstoke.

[WSW Frome]

Assuming the trains are routed through Bath, then GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) may be avoiding the extra crush caused by the Christmas Market in Bath which I believe starts this Thursday.

[rogerw]

Probably the explanation as calling at Chippenham.

[Timmer]

Assuming the trains are routed through Bath, then GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) may be avoiding the extra crush caused by the Christmas Market in Bath which I believe starts this Thursday.

www.gwr.com/strike confirms trains not stopping at Bath Spa. Sensible move on this occasion as it would cause all sorts of trouble with overcrowding on what limited service is running. The Bath Christmas market causes all sorts of problems at Bath Spa when a full timetable is in operation!

A very limited service will run only on the following routes between:

London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads (these trains will not stop at Bath Spa)
Reading and Oxford
Reading and Basingstoke

[Timmer]

It’s not looking good:

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/train-companies-cancel-negotiations-and-make-no-offer-in/

TRAIN COMPANIES CANCEL NEGOTIATIONS AND MAKE NO OFFER IN NATIONAL RAIL DISPUTE

RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) Press Office:

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the Train Operating Companies (TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company)), has today without any credible explanation refused to make their promised written proposals in the six-month dispute over jobs, terms and conditions and pay.

Similarly, Network Rail has also refused to make any proposals promised at the conclusion of intensive talks last week. RMT suspended strike action on the basis that they would make new proposals by November 17 and it has failed to table anything new.

This will mean that despite having shown good faith in attending a fortnight of discussions with both halves of the industry, the union has no new proposals to consider or put to its members.

RMT’s National Executive Committee will meet tomorrow morning (Tuesday 22nd November 2022) to consider the matter and it is highly likely that further phases of industrial action will be set down.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:

“After a fortnight of talks, the TOCs had committed to making a firm offer in writing for the first time today.  They cancelled the meeting at an hour’s notice, and we can sense the hand of the Tory government in this as we believe that they are not allowing an offer to be made.

“This is on top of Network Rail failing to make a new proposal at the end of last week.

“Our members have shown their commitment to the dispute and to winning workplace justice in the re-ballot results last week and their union is equally determined to see this dispute through until we get a deal our members can support.

“Tomorrow morning our National Executive Committee will be meeting to consider this. We have been patient and have shown good faith which has not been returned. 

“Therefore, I will be recommending that we set out further phases of sustained industrial action in support of our members.

“While we will remain available for meaningful negotiations it is now obvious that the other side is unwilling or unable to progress matters appropriately, so our action will be reinstated,” he said.

I think we’re going to need a new thread soon. 

[froome]

 

[Electric train]

It’s not looking good:

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/train-companies-cancel-negotiations-and-make-no-offer-in/

TRAIN COMPANIES CANCEL NEGOTIATIONS AND MAKE NO OFFER IN NATIONAL RAIL DISPUTE

RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) Press Office:

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the Train Operating Companies (TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company)), has today without any credible explanation refused to make their promised written proposals in the six-month dispute over jobs, terms and conditions and pay.

Similarly, Network Rail has also refused to make any proposals promised at the conclusion of intensive talks last week. RMT suspended strike action on the basis that they would make new proposals by November 17 and it has failed to table anything new.

This will mean that despite having shown good faith in attending a fortnight of discussions with both halves of the industry, the union has no new proposals to consider or put to its members.

RMT’s National Executive Committee will meet tomorrow morning (Tuesday 22nd November 2022) to consider the matter and it is highly likely that further phases of industrial action will be set down.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:

“After a fortnight of talks, the TOCs had committed to making a firm offer in writing for the first time today.  They cancelled the meeting at an hour’s notice, and we can sense the hand of the Tory government in this as we believe that they are not allowing an offer to be made.

“This is on top of Network Rail failing to make a new proposal at the end of last week.

“Our members have shown their commitment to the dispute and to winning workplace justice in the re-ballot results last week and their union is equally determined to see this dispute through until we get a deal our members can support.

“Tomorrow morning our National Executive Committee will be meeting to consider this. We have been patient and have shown good faith which has not been returned. 

“Therefore, I will be recommending that we set out further phases of sustained industrial action in support of our members.

“While we will remain available for meaningful negotiations it is now obvious that the other side is unwilling or unable to progress matters appropriately, so our action will be reinstated,” he said.

I think we’re going to need a new thread soon. 

More like rope 

It's fine for the RMT to express their disappointment regarding RD and NR^» (Network Rail - home page) withdrawing from negotiations the RMT made no effort to recommend what was on offer.

I suspect the Government will still proceed with it hasty legislation

[PhilWakely]

It's fine for the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) to express their disappointment regarding RD and NR^» (Network Rail - home page) withdrawing from negotiations the RMT made no effort to recommend what was on offer.

I suspect the Government will still proceed with it hasty legislation

Unless I have mis-read your comment, I think the clue is in the title of the press release as to why the Union has not recommended anything

TRAIN COMPANIES CANCEL NEGOTIATIONS AND MAKE NO OFFER IN NATIONAL RAIL DISPUTE

I do agree with your final comment though - legislation will be rushed through imminently