Discussion
50 Grand a year to open and close the f
king doors of the train and they go on strike, really beggars belief
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33459515
king doors of the train and they go on strike, really beggars beliefhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33459515
Mojooo said:
Being forced to work nights is a big change.
Why don't they just employ a totally different bank of staff to run nights...
It's some tiny amount like 7 night shifts a year and without adding extra hours to their annual hours total. Not that big a change at all.Why don't they just employ a totally different bank of staff to run nights...
The thing to remember about the Night Tube that they're whinging about, is that:
- it's only a few of the lines, not the entire network
- it's only a few days a week (weekend)
- it's a massively reduced service compared to the daytime service (I can't remember if it's 15 minute or 30 minute intervals, but nowhere near the typically 2 minute intervals found during the day)
- TfL has recruited loads of extra drivers into the shift patterns as well
So the reality is that existing drivers aren't suddenly going to have to work tons of night tube shifts at all.
Platform / ticket staff, may have a more bum deal, I don't know if lots of new recruits have been added to those teams.
If they have ample drivers happy to do it then what's the issue? If your in fine then you can be on the rota if you refuse then you are not and not for the duration of your employment.
I'd say the union think this is the thin edge of the sword and in time the number of lines and frequency will increase that's the big problem
I'd say the union think this is the thin edge of the sword and in time the number of lines and frequency will increase that's the big problem
Welshbeef said:
If they have ample drivers happy to do it then what's the issue? If your in fine then you can be on the rota if you refuse then you are not and not for the duration of your employment.
I'd say the union think this is the thin edge of the sword and in time the number of lines and frequency will increase that's the big problem
What a crapper eh, ridiculous that the nasty rail company is trying to provide a better service for their customers by offering extended service times. Do they really think that their staff are there to provide a service to the customers.I'd say the union think this is the thin edge of the sword and in time the number of lines and frequency will increase that's the big problem
Welshbeef said:
If they have ample drivers happy to do it then what's the issue? If your in fine then you can be on the rota if you refuse then you are not and not for the duration of your employment.
I'd say the union think this is the thin edge of the sword and in time the number of lines and frequency will increase that's the big problem
I doubt it will ever increase much. TfL are never going to build a whole set of parallel tracks like New York has over many lines, which enable NY to switch things onto the other track when maintenance requires it, so TfL are always going to need things completely closed down for 3 or 4 nights to do their weekly maintenance. And I can't see the train frequency ever increasing much beyond the current plans, the demand simply isn't there and never will be, "24 hour city" or not ... most humans like to sleep at night, and for those that don't, 15 or 30 minute night tube frequency is already better than the current night bus service. Several cities around the world have an all-night service on their various metro systems but I can't think of one where the overnight service isn't massively infrequent compared to the day service.I'd say the union think this is the thin edge of the sword and in time the number of lines and frequency will increase that's the big problem
Edited by kev1974 on Friday 10th July 00:15
kev1974 said:
Welshbeef said:
If they have ample drivers happy to do it then what's the issue? If your in fine then you can be on the rota if you refuse then you are not and not for the duration of your employment.
I'd say the union think this is the thin edge of the sword and in time the number of lines and frequency will increase that's the big problem
I doubt it will ever increase much. TfL are never going to build a whole set of parallel tracks like New York has over many lines, which enable NY to switch things onto the other track when maintenance requires it, so TfL are always going to need things completely closed down for 3 or 4 nights to do their weekly maintenance. And I can't see the train frequency ever increasing much beyond the current plans, the demand simply isn't there and never will be, "24 hour city" or not ... most humans like to sleep at night, and for those that don't, 15 or 30 minute night tube frequency is already better than the current night bus service. Several cities around the world have an all-night service on their various metro systems but I can't think of one where the overnight service isn't massively infrequent compared to the day service.I'd say the union think this is the thin edge of the sword and in time the number of lines and frequency will increase that's the big problem
Edited by kev1974 on Friday 10th July 00:15
rambo19 said:
Good luck to the tube drivers.
Prepared to stand up for their terms and conditions.
Prepared to exploit a monopoly to screw passengers out of every penny. If the was a viable alternative to the train an tubes, the service would have died a death years ago.Prepared to stand up for their terms and conditions.
50k a year and 40 days holiday for a 35 hour week, and they constantly want more. Tube staff can kiss my hairy balls.
Just gives the powers that be a mandate from commuters to automate them all and then they will lose their jobs anyway. People in private sector can't just go on strike every time they don't get something they don't like. It also seem political from the union leaders, but they don't care about the people they are supposed to be serving!
sirtyro said:
Just gives the powers that be a mandate from commuters to automate them all and then they will lose their jobs anyway. People in private sector can't just go on strike every time they don't get something they don't like. It also seem political from the union leaders, but they don't care about the people they are supposed to be serving!
This, the strike is massively short sighted and the union is seriously taking the baitWhy would anyone think that strike would hasten automation? It will happen regardless of drivers striking or not. Or is this one of those perpetual threads where it's popular to get annoyed at 'jobsworths @ public sector' who get money for no work?
Edited by jjlynn27 on Friday 10th July 09:45
It's inevitable really given the current government in place - pure bitterness from the unions. They aren't striking for the workers but as a political statement and unfortunately the villains at the top of each are dragging the innocent members along with them for the ride.
My prediction would be that the unions will continue, certainly until 2020, to strike at every possible opportunity so they can make a big song and dance in 2020 about how 2015-2020 has been the biggest period of workforce unrest since Thatcher and discredit the Tory's claim that they are the party for the workers.
Completely unfounded, completely ridiculous however completely predictable from the cartel that is the UK unions.
My prediction would be that the unions will continue, certainly until 2020, to strike at every possible opportunity so they can make a big song and dance in 2020 about how 2015-2020 has been the biggest period of workforce unrest since Thatcher and discredit the Tory's claim that they are the party for the workers.
Completely unfounded, completely ridiculous however completely predictable from the cartel that is the UK unions.
Edited by MrBarry123 on Friday 10th July 09:35
Have to say I've no sympathy for the strikers. Don't like your job? Then find another like the rest of the UK workforce would.
I walked 15 miles yesterday from East to West London, around the West End and then all the way back to East London.
Is it coincidental that two of the union leaders are named Mr Cash and Mr Leach? Couldn't be better suited to their jobs, eh.
I walked 15 miles yesterday from East to West London, around the West End and then all the way back to East London.
Is it coincidental that two of the union leaders are named Mr Cash and Mr Leach? Couldn't be better suited to their jobs, eh.
I work nights, have done on various shift patterns for over 25 years. Its bad for your health, anti social, crap for family life and generally less productive if thrown into the mix with day shifts.
However, if I was a day worker there's no way I'd accept a 0.75% pay rise in exchange for an unspecified number of night shifts. This it seems is where the members vote to strike has come from.
However,the strike as usual is entirely politically motivated by the Union leadership, no surprise with a Conservative mayor and Government. The fact that TFLs counter offer was never even presented to the members is a failing on the part of the Unions to make a proper stab at settlement. The strikes should never have gone ahead.
For them , the clock is ticking. The Picadilly line driverless train tender process is under way and the line is due to be automated by 2020/21. Other lines will follow.
I don't applaud the loss of well paid jobs, nor do I blame the Unions and their members for trying to get the best out of the deal but I do think the customers of their service are being unfairly abused for the sake of massaging some rather large egos.
Give the staff (remember its not just the well paid drivers who are affected) a decent night shift premium safe in the knowledge that within 5 years of so the bill for drivers will start to drop off dramatically when automation kicks in.
However, if I was a day worker there's no way I'd accept a 0.75% pay rise in exchange for an unspecified number of night shifts. This it seems is where the members vote to strike has come from.
However,the strike as usual is entirely politically motivated by the Union leadership, no surprise with a Conservative mayor and Government. The fact that TFLs counter offer was never even presented to the members is a failing on the part of the Unions to make a proper stab at settlement. The strikes should never have gone ahead.
For them , the clock is ticking. The Picadilly line driverless train tender process is under way and the line is due to be automated by 2020/21. Other lines will follow.
I don't applaud the loss of well paid jobs, nor do I blame the Unions and their members for trying to get the best out of the deal but I do think the customers of their service are being unfairly abused for the sake of massaging some rather large egos.
Give the staff (remember its not just the well paid drivers who are affected) a decent night shift premium safe in the knowledge that within 5 years of so the bill for drivers will start to drop off dramatically when automation kicks in.
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