Rail unions industrial and strike action 2024

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

I take it that they at least get a day off in lieu for working a Bank Holiday?

The GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) drivers (and GWR HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) grade ones as well) don’t get any days off in lieu.  IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) bank holiday lieu days for drivers were removed going way back to the last century.  Even Christmas Day/Boxing Day come out of a drivers annual leave unless they happen to be off that day anyway.

Yes, it would all have been negotiated at the time as part of a pay rise, but does help demonstrate that a headline salary doesn’t always tell the full story as it doesn’t in many jobs in many industries.

[TaplowGreen]

I take it that they at least get a day off in lieu for working a Bank Holiday?

The GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) drivers (and GWR HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) grade ones as well) don’t get any days off in lieu.  IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) bank holiday lieu days for drivers were removed going way back to the last century.  Even Christmas Day/Boxing Day come out of a drivers annual leave unless they happen to be off that day anyway.

Yes, it would all have been negotiated at the time as part of a pay rise, but does help demonstrate that a headline salary doesn’t always tell the full story as it doesn’t in many jobs in many industries.

Got it - GWRs website states 32 days annual leave "inclusive of Bank Holidays", which suggests they've been "rolled in", whereas for mere mortals such as myself annual leave is expressed as something along the lines of 25 days + bank holidays.

[grahame]

Got it - GWRs^▸ (Great Western Railway) website states 32 days annual leave "inclusive of Bank Holidays", which suggests they've been "rolled in", whereas for mere mortals such as myself annual leave is expressed as something along the lines of 25 days + bank holidays.

I'm not sure that it's "mere mortals" or a sensible way of doing it for a business / operation that's running 363/364 days a year. It's exactly what we did when running our hotel (and that was 365/366 days a year) and with the team we had it worked for everyone.

[IndustryInsider]

Yes indeed, Graham, and I get TG’s point too.  In terms of leave the railway is slowly moving in that direction, with a few sectors/businesses yet to consolidate it in that way.

Regardless, it doesn’t alter the original question, which is that that there is no enhanced pay for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) drivers (and many others) working over Easter weekend.

[TaplowGreen]

Regardless, it doesn’t alter the original question, which is that that there is no enhanced pay for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) drivers (and many others) working over Easter weekend.

Now that I understand the way the drivers annual leave is configured, I sort of get why they wouldn't get enhancement for working on Bank Holidays - sounds as if it was negotiated away, perhaps in return for a higher basic salary?

Certainly in my business we have numerous roles that cover 365 days but those working on Bank Holidays get x 1.5 or x 2 at Xmas, but our Annual Leave is quoted as days + bank holidays.................then again those roles don't get paid as much as train drivers! 

[IndustryInsider]

Which all begs the question: Why did ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) choose the weekend after Easter? 

Is ‘public support’ still much of a consideration for a dispute that has gone on for so long?

[TaplowGreen]

Which all begs the question: Why did ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) choose the weekend after Easter? 

Is ‘public support’ still much of a consideration for a dispute that has gone on for so long?

I don't think the public are too bothered either way now - as you say it's been going on for so long it's become part of the landscape - an irritant/inconvenience yes but not the paralysis it may once have caused - too many alternatives available and it's only an odd day here and there.

Doing it over the Easter holiday period/on a Saturday probably inconveniences more GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) leisure travellers, who are a much more significant part of the railway's business now, and they may well seek alternatives and stick with them going forward, but it'll hardly be felt by business travellers, and the overtime ban will probably just mean that more people work from home for a few extra days.

The Government certainly don't seem to be bothered but then again it's not an issue upon which too many votes depend.

 

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, I think we’re kind of in agreement…though we’ll have to get you a Broadgage style bingo card. 

It’s all about letting everyone know ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) are still in dispute occasionally, but until the Tories are ousted there will be no real likelihood of a settlement, and fair play to ASLEF for not ruining the big Easter getaway for the all important leisure market.

[TaplowGreen]

Yes, I think we’re kind of in agreement…though we’ll have to get you a Broadgage style bingo card. 

Ah no......whilst I actually did have a glass of Port last weekend, I quite like the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) (when they turn up, and aren’t shortformed!)

[TaplowGreen]

Here we go again......

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68874928

[grahame]

Here we go again......

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68874928

Staff at 16 train companies will take part in rolling one-day walkouts between 7 and 9 May over pay and working conditions.
An overtime ban will also take place between 6 and 11 May.
Passengers are advised to check before they travel, with the action likely to lead to delays and cancellations.
The Bank Holiday falls on 6 May this year.
Aslef, the train drivers' union, said it is seeking better pay for its members and claimed drivers are being asked to sacrifice working conditions in exchange for a wage increase.
Drivers from several train companies will strike on different days.
Tuesday 7 May: c2c, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and Island Line
Wednesday 8 May: Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains
Thursday 9 May: LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about), Northern Trains and TransPennine Express

Also ...

Little progress has been made in solving the row between Aslef and the rail companies since the union first started striking in July 2022.

It has been going on do long it has almost ceased to be news.   Lisa and I arrive on a ferry into Portsmouth in the afternoon of 8th May.  We're just shrugging our shoulders and booking in to somewhere to stay overnight until the following morning.

[a-driver]

ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) have today received an approach from the RDG^‡(resolve) to discuss a framework for reopening talks.  No fresh offer has been received though.

Fingers crossed.

[IndustryInsider]

Politically beneficial to settle just before an election?

[a-driver]

Politically beneficial to settle just before an election?

Surely they know they’re finished regardless of this dispute? 

Edit:  Thinking about it. You could be right!  Burden someone else with the financial settlement.

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, I was thinking along those lines.  Also, even though they are heading for a big defeat, the less seats they lose the better for them. 

As we’re often reminded, it’s not a massive political issue, but there’s an apt saying that Tesco coined a few years ago…