RMT union vote for a national rail strike
Discussion
Leicester Loyal said:
There's plenty of work, I did almost 100 overtime shifts last year in order to keep the roster manned up and the trains running... We can't fill the roster in our depot, constantly understaffed and needing overtime just to get by, it's simply not sustainable.
Why would I leave? It's a job I've spent years training for, it's a job I love doing and I enjoy keeping the country moving. I'd rather (as we all would) come to some compromise and try to iron out the differencies.
Efficiecy has been cut these past few years because of the paperwork and the red tape, getting rid of red zone working has made it much harder for us to work during the day and on afternoon shifts. The only alternative to this is to work permanent nights, but we need a team to staff the day and afternoon shifts in case of faults or a serious incident. We're down to the bare bones where we are, I can't speak for the rest of the depots up and down the country, but we don't have anymore fat to cut in terms of staff numbers. As an example we need 3 men due to safety for certain jobs, so when we're only in a 2 man team, getting the job done isn't possible, the only thing we can do is break the company rules to get it done.
If the cuts are as serious as you say, then alot of us will be out of a job soon anyway (and I'd be the first at risk in my depot tbh, but it's a risk I'm willing to take)
A solution could have been found ages ago, but both sides need to work together to find one.
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/network-rail-wor...
This was also sent out to us last month, and probably did more to up the YES to a strike vote than any payrise or job redundancy compromise could.
What a very sensitive lot if they can misconstrue a few words - handily convenient for the union to then use in an attempt to further wind up the members.Why would I leave? It's a job I've spent years training for, it's a job I love doing and I enjoy keeping the country moving. I'd rather (as we all would) come to some compromise and try to iron out the differencies.
Efficiecy has been cut these past few years because of the paperwork and the red tape, getting rid of red zone working has made it much harder for us to work during the day and on afternoon shifts. The only alternative to this is to work permanent nights, but we need a team to staff the day and afternoon shifts in case of faults or a serious incident. We're down to the bare bones where we are, I can't speak for the rest of the depots up and down the country, but we don't have anymore fat to cut in terms of staff numbers. As an example we need 3 men due to safety for certain jobs, so when we're only in a 2 man team, getting the job done isn't possible, the only thing we can do is break the company rules to get it done.
If the cuts are as serious as you say, then alot of us will be out of a job soon anyway (and I'd be the first at risk in my depot tbh, but it's a risk I'm willing to take)
A solution could have been found ages ago, but both sides need to work together to find one.
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/network-rail-wor...
This was also sent out to us last month, and probably did more to up the YES to a strike vote than any payrise or job redundancy compromise could.
It's a great shame that so few rail staff ever leave [just whinge] - then they might find out how proper businesses are run. In most cases there's really no need for a union to be paid for, just so that they can hold staff hands when they want to rant about the latest minor issue.
Leicester Loyal said:
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/network-rail-wor...
This was also sent out to us last month, and probably did more to up the YES to a strike vote than any payrise or job redundancy compromise could.
So the strike action is mostly based on anger?This was also sent out to us last month, and probably did more to up the YES to a strike vote than any payrise or job redundancy compromise could.
Pathetic.
Leicester Loyal said:
Thankfully our union has helped us no end in the past, so the subs are definitely worth it.
As I said at the start, I respect everyones opinion, even those on the opposite side, comments such as ‘pathetic’ or whatever, fill your boots.
If you think strike action due to anger over a few words is the road to heroism & public support then carry on.As I said at the start, I respect everyones opinion, even those on the opposite side, comments such as ‘pathetic’ or whatever, fill your boots.
Glory to your cause, brother!
Biggy Stardust said:
Leicester Loyal said:
Thankfully our union has helped us no end in the past, so the subs are definitely worth it.
As I said at the start, I respect everyones opinion, even those on the opposite side, comments such as ‘pathetic’ or whatever, fill your boots.
If you think strike action due to anger over a few words is the road to heroism & public support then carry on.As I said at the start, I respect everyones opinion, even those on the opposite side, comments such as ‘pathetic’ or whatever, fill your boots.
Glory to your cause, brother!
Leicester Loyal said:
Gareth1974 said:
I suspect a 3 year pay freeze at a time of soaring inflation is the primary reason.
I suspect he knows that, but he’s entitled to his opinion, as we live in a democracy, thankfully.Was I incorrect to think that a union man would be telling the truth?
oyster said:
NuckyThompson said:
What you want them to do? Take a pay cut and allow the rail companies to make even greater profits?
The strike is the result not the root cause
Your point on profits of rail companies - I can’t find much info on what the RMT are asking for versus what the TOCs are offering. And also can’t recall the current revenue/profits of said TOCs at the moment.The strike is the result not the root cause
What numbers are you using to base your viewpoint on?
Genuinely interested.
Biggy Stardust said:
Leicester Loyal said:
Gareth1974 said:
I suspect a 3 year pay freeze at a time of soaring inflation is the primary reason.
I suspect he knows that, but he’s entitled to his opinion, as we live in a democracy, thankfully.Was I incorrect to think that a union man would be telling the truth?
There are many, including safety etc. That i’ve already discussed.
It’s also my own personal opinion, obviously…
Leicester Loyal said:
Thankfully our union has helped us no end in the past, so the subs are definitely worth it.
As I said at the start, I respect everyones opinion, even those on the opposite side, comments such as ‘pathetic’ or whatever, fill your boots.
I recognise that you are respecting the views of other people but I think many people honestly feel that some rail staff are very blinkered by their whole work environment. Many seem terribly naive, or out of date, with regard to alternative methods of working, automation, T&Cs etc etc. It suits the unions to keep their members in the dark, and very many staff just seem to accept that the union view must be 100% true and honest.As I said at the start, I respect everyones opinion, even those on the opposite side, comments such as ‘pathetic’ or whatever, fill your boots.
To 'outsiders' it's all a bit depressing - a large, often militant, workforce willing to jump for the rule book/strike at the first opportunity without seeming to understand that only a small % of the UK population will use a train. Most of the general population isn't going to be affected by RMT/ASLEF action at all - however, Boris & Co will gain significant voter support from the perception that unions and rail staff are consistently troublesome.
ZedLeg said:
I wonder how many of the anti union people here actually live the dog eat dog, survival of the fittest life they’re clearly a fan of.
i've been in a union. i've seen how it works, like the mafia, fear and intimidation to get members, even seen people call non members free riders etc.I've seen how the union is there to protect the union first. I've seen a union protect someone who nearly killed others, whilst a union rep knew about this guys alcoholism yet said nothing, because ''hate mangement''
So yes i'm happy to be anti union because ive seen non unionised places where people get paid good money for hard work, without lackies to please, and no instilled us and them culture.
You know stuff like asking a worker to stay later once in a blue moon, and not have them run off to the union guy to complain straight away.
Armchair_Expert said:
Miserablegit said:
Not happy with pay & conditions then get another job.
I have no sympathy for the unions holding the public to ransom.
My commuter trains only have one member of staff on them - in the 15 years I’ve been using them nobody has died or been injured as a result of there being no guard.
I was on a south-west train last week for its entire journey- it had a guard who I never saw as she remained in the rear carriage
What’s the supposed safety argument ?
It’s all about money - I’m not getting a pay rise this year but as I’m self employed it’s my own fault.
SWT are absolutely and utterly woeful. I have been using them for 22 years and seen it all. Guards range from "absent" to complete jobsworths, the train wouldn't operate any differently without them. They do nothing about fare evasion, nor do the barrier staff - weekly I see people forcing their way through closing barriers behind someone else and not an eyelid batted.I have no sympathy for the unions holding the public to ransom.
My commuter trains only have one member of staff on them - in the 15 years I’ve been using them nobody has died or been injured as a result of there being no guard.
I was on a south-west train last week for its entire journey- it had a guard who I never saw as she remained in the rear carriage
What’s the supposed safety argument ?
It’s all about money - I’m not getting a pay rise this year but as I’m self employed it’s my own fault.
Vasco said:
I recognise that you are respecting the views of other people but I think many people honestly feel that some rail staff are very blinkered by their whole work environment. Many seem terribly naive, or out of date, with regard to alternative methods of working, automation, T&Cs etc etc. It suits the unions to keep their members in the dark, and very many staff just seem to accept that the union view must be 100% true and honest.
To 'outsiders' it's all a bit depressing - a large, often militant, workforce willing to jump for the rule book/strike at the first opportunity without seeming to understand that only a small % of the UK population will use a train. Most of the general population isn't going to be affected by RMT/ASLEF action at all - however, Boris & Co will gain significant voter support from the perception that unions and rail staff are consistently troublesome.
Points duly taken on board mate, and I do fear that Boris and the Tories will hurt us significantly, but it’s a chance we now feel we’ve got to take. To 'outsiders' it's all a bit depressing - a large, often militant, workforce willing to jump for the rule book/strike at the first opportunity without seeming to understand that only a small % of the UK population will use a train. Most of the general population isn't going to be affected by RMT/ASLEF action at all - however, Boris & Co will gain significant voter support from the perception that unions and rail staff are consistently troublesome.
ChocolateFrog said:
What do you want them to do when someone won't pay?
Leave and get a different job SWT bid for the franchise they won it on the economics and changes that they proposed.
I simply don’t get the logic of staying somewhere you dislike or that they cannot meet your expectation of wage.
Welshbeef said:
faa77 said:
Imagine if the NHS had their own "agency" pool, which they could assign nurses from.
How much money would be saved? Tens of millions
They do - the company is called “NHS professionals”How much money would be saved? Tens of millions
ChocolateFrog said:
What do you want them to do when someone won't pay?
They’re told not to intervene. Staff assaults are a common thing on the railway mainly against station staff who are increasingly having to wear bodycams to try and deter attacks so, in general, only revenue protection staff can confront fare evaders.
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