National Rail strikes

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Britain's railway watchdog has expressed concerns about radical plans to overhaul the way the network will be maintained in the future.
The Office of the Rail Regulation (ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about)) said plans to change working practices and introduce new technology from next month could have safety implications.
It has outlined "significant areas of concern" in a letter to Network Rail.
The criticisms come as the rail workers union, the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers), begins balloting members on strike action.
The union is unhappy at the changes which could include the loss of up to 1,500 jobs.
The RMT's general secretary, Bob Crow, is calling for an immediate halt to the proposals, which he describes as "dangerous" and which he claims "can only undermine rail safety with lethal consequences".

[Phil]

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23813528-rail-strike-fear-for-easter-break-as-20000-vote-on-holiday-walkout.do

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Network Rail workers vote to strike

Network Rail maintenance workers have voted in favour of strikes, bringing about the possibility of action over Easter.
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)) union said 65% of members voted. Of those, 77% backed industrial action.
The ballot was called over plans to cut up to 1,500 maintenance jobs and change working practices.
The union said it would remain available to talk to Network Rail to avert the strikes.
"Nobody should be under any illusions about just how determined RMT members are to win this dispute and to stop this reckless gamble with rail safety," said RMT general secretary Bob Crow.
Network Rail defended its proposals as modernising the country's railways.
"The way the railway is maintained and operated needs to change," the rail operator said.
"Work practices that date back to the steam age should no longer have a place on a modern railway. We cannot allow the unions to hold this country to ransom."

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Network Rail and RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) talk in bid to avert rail strike

Last-ditch talks are being held in a bid to avert the first national rail strike since 1994, which could cause travel disruption over Easter.
The RMT union and Network Rail are meeting at conciliation service Acas.
Both signal workers and maintenance staff belonging to the RMT have voted in favour of walkouts in a row over job cuts and working conditions.
Infrastructure operator Network Rail says most services would be cancelled if a strike was announced.
After the meeting ends, the RMT National Executive will meet to hear from their negotiators and decide what to do.
The union will then issue a statement at about 1630 GMT. It says options for action include a strike and an overtime ban.
Network Rail said talks held on Wednesday had yielded "progress". A spokesman said: "Network Rail is committed to pursuing a negotiated settlement - our door is always open to further discussions."
He added that the firm "will do everything it can to run trains to minimise disruption to passengers" in the event of a strike, adding that its contingency plans were at an "advanced stage".
Negotiations over its plans to cut 1,500 maintenance jobs started this week and also involve the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, which also represents maintenance workers.
The RMT executive will meet after the discussions to decide the union's next move, but when talks were adjourned on Wednesday a spokesman said that a warning of action was premature.
However, BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott said that, if no last-minute deal is reached, strike dates are expected to be announced.
Network Rail manages the track and major stations and wants to change the way maintenance is carried out, doing more of the work at night and at weekends when the rails are less busy.
It has said 1,100 workers have already volunteered for redundancy and the "vast majority" of the cuts will be achieved without resorting to compulsory lay-offs.
The RMT claims passenger safety is being put at risk, something which Network Rail denies.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the ballot in favour of strikes demonstrated members' opposition to cuts and to "the assault on jobs and working conditions".

[Timmer]

Strike dates announced: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8586422.stm

[James Vertigan]

From BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8586422.stm

Rail workers will take strike action on the four days after Easter in a dispute over jobs and working practices.

Talks between Network Rail and the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) and TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) unions at conciliation service Acas failed to reach agreement.

TSSA supervisors and RMT maintenance workers will walk out from 6-9 April, while RMT signal staff will strike from 0600-1000 and 1800-2200 the same dates.

Infrastructure operator Network Rail had said most services would be cancelled if a strike was announced.

'Public safety'

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT negotiators have worked flat-out to try and reach an agreement that protects rail safety, job security and working agreements in the disputes involving signalling and maintenance staff on Britain's railways.

"Despite long hours of talks, we have received nothing concrete from Network Rail that addresses the key issues."

TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty said the strike was all about "the safety of the travelling public and the safety and security of our members".

The unions said the rail network would be "effectively be closed down" by the industrial action.

There were fears that the strike would be called over Easter, but the unions said they avoided this in order not to disrupt the public over the holiday period.

'Severe impact'

Robin Gisby, Network Rail's director of operations and customer services, disputed the unions' claims that the strike was about safety.

He said: "Britain's railway is safer than ever. The issue of safety is a smokescreen from a union leadership stuck in the steam age.

"Our contingency plans are well advanced and aim to keep as many trains running as possible. But a national rail strike will have a severe impact on services and on Britain."

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said: "A strike is in no-one's interests and could cause serious disruption to passengers.

"Both sides should seek to resolve this dispute by negotiation and not confrontation and I am urging them to do so."

Well annoyed at this, because I had planned to go to Newton Abbot from April 7th to 10th so from this it looks like I could be hit if "most services will be cancelled", particularly as I had planned to take the 0730 from Paddington. No official word from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website as yet though.

[JayMac]

F*** it, I just bought ADV tickets for April 7th. Anyone know where Bob Crow and Gerry Doherty live?

[devon_metro]

Coinciding with my days off that week, great. Looks like i'll have to drive where I need to go.

[JayMac]

Apparently the unions are doing us a favour by not striking over the Easter weekend!!! 

Is it not more likely that they are doing their members a favour by not striking on a double bank holiday weekend when there is the chance to earn some extra dosh? 

[ReWind]

I'd still be suprised if this actually goes ahead!

There is still a lot of time between now and April 6th!

Personally I think it will be called off at the last minute, but hey, I'm regularly wrong!! 

[John R]

Well I'm relieved for one as I was not looking forward to driving to Gatwick and paying through the nose for a couple of week's parking.

I'm a bit puzzled though, as IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) previous strikes by signallers have not resulted in almost complete closure of the network, with the main lines kept open albeit on a reduced service.

[James Vertigan]

I'd still be suprised if this actually goes ahead!

There is still a lot of time between now and April 6th!

Personally I think it will be called off at the last minute, but hey, I'm regularly wrong!! 

Hmm, yes, the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) make it look as if the dates have been finalised and it is definitely going ahead, but I just spoke to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Customer Services (in India, what a surprise!) and they said the dates hadn't been finalised.


They obviously still want to cause some sort of disruption, because if the strikes are confirmed as going ahead at the last minute, this will cause a last minute rush of everyone making alternative arrangements (National Express, etc) - unless FGW are planning to lay on rail replacement road transport... frankly I'd rather have the comfort of a train than a coach - took a National Express from Taunton to Victoria once, not sure I'd want to again!

[Electric train]

I'd still be suprised if this actually goes ahead!

There is still a lot of time between now and April 6th!

Personally I think it will be called off at the last minute, but hey, I'm regularly wrong!! 

I agree, there is a lot of will on the part of the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Executive and I am sure the Unions too to get a resolution.  Its no where near as polarised as BA^» (British Airways - about) dispute

[Jez]

Bought an advance ticket for a journey from Cardiff-Birmingham on 8th April - am I entitled to a refund if the service doesnt run and therefore I cant travel??

[Chris from Nailsea]

In view of recent developments, I've merged a couple of topics here, to provide better continuity of posts.  C.