SWR strikers - does the Union pay their wages on strike?
Discussion
catfood12 said:
The South Western Railway drivers are striking for most of December. Do they just lose a month's money, or does their Union pay them when they're on strike ?
Just wondered, Google doesn't help.
Loose money.Just wondered, Google doesn't help.
TBH. A lot are apparently working a few hours anyway. So they'll not be losing the full 105 hours
catfood12 said:
The South Western Railway drivers are striking for most of December. Do they just lose a month's money, or does their Union pay them when they're on strike ?
Just wondered, Google doesn't help.
I'd have thought that this was correctly placed in the NPE forum, not sure why it has been moved here.Just wondered, Google doesn't help.
The official answer is that strikers are not paid by their union whilst they are off, but there are reports that it is a bit different in this case. The RMT have reportedly agreed to pay a 'hardship fund' to strikers which could be worth up to £2,000 per month. These guards are on about £45k, so that would fall short of their usual salary for a month, but still seems a pretty good deal.
Who knows whether it is true or not?
It's also reported that SWR are compensated by the Government for lost passenger revenue. Again, may be untrue or exaggerated, but if not it doesn't really give ether side much of an incentive to resolve this.
I use SWR and it's been a right pain, I'm still paying the same but for less than half the normal service. I'm on the Exeter to Waterloo route, a chap at work said Easy Jet have laid on a service from Exeter to City Airport that is quicker (obviously) and cheaper. As for the RMT paying Guards (its not drivers striking) £2000 a month I can't see that.
My understanding is that the DfT are compensating SWR to the tune of £85m
My understanding is that RMT are using a "hardship fund" to compensate members who strike
Leaving the consumer, who apparently it at the heart of everything the RMT and SWR do as the only people being punished. Amazing really.
There also seems to have been some behind the scenes dealing between Labour and the RMT, which with the election wipe-out will not play out, so presumably that will encourage more striking.
It's utterly baffling to me how taking action against Customers is an effective way to punish your employer who has nothing to lose..
My understanding is that RMT are using a "hardship fund" to compensate members who strike
Leaving the consumer, who apparently it at the heart of everything the RMT and SWR do as the only people being punished. Amazing really.
There also seems to have been some behind the scenes dealing between Labour and the RMT, which with the election wipe-out will not play out, so presumably that will encourage more striking.
It's utterly baffling to me how taking action against Customers is an effective way to punish your employer who has nothing to lose..
L1OFF said:
I use SWR and it's been a right pain, I'm still paying the same but for less than half the normal service. I'm on the Exeter to Waterloo route, a chap at work said Easy Jet have laid on a service from Exeter to City Airport that is quicker (obviously) and cheaper. As for the RMT paying Guards (its not drivers striking) £2000 a month I can't see that.
Why? It’s happened for years, the unions want to stir s
t, so they pay the staff to strike.Years ago an X worked in the Jobcenter, they went on strike for some spurious reason, the PCS paid them their normal wage... but as it was a charitable donation it was tax and NI free.
nikaiyo2 said:
Why? It’s happened for years, the unions want to stir st, so they pay the staff to strike.
Years ago an X worked in the Jobcenter, they went on strike for some spurious reason, the PCS paid them their normal wage... but as it was a charitable donation it was tax and NI free.
It is extremely rare for a union to pay strike pay and I question the amount posted above as if they do pay then its generally pennies in the pound but as I’m not sure what they’re getting, I’ll defer to the above poster who quoted the amount.t, so they pay the staff to strike.Years ago an X worked in the Jobcenter, they went on strike for some spurious reason, the PCS paid them their normal wage... but as it was a charitable donation it was tax and NI free.
99 times out off 100, you lose a days pay when you strike with no recourse to union funds to compensate.
valiant said:
but as I’m not sure what they’re getting, I’ll defer to the above poster who quoted the amount.
I wouldn’t do that necessarily! The story came out in the Daily Telegraph a couple of weeks ago. There was quite a lot made of the fact that the RMT wouldn’t come out and refute the story, but there still might be an element of exaggeration in there.krisdelta said:
My understanding is that the DfT are compensating SWR to the tune of £85m
My understanding is that RMT are using a "hardship fund" to compensate members who strike
Leaving the consumer, who apparently it at the heart of everything the RMT and SWR do as the only people being punished. Amazing really.
There also seems to have been some behind the scenes dealing between Labour and the RMT, which with the election wipe-out will not play out, so presumably that will encourage more striking.
It's utterly baffling to me how taking action against Customers is an effective way to punish your employer who has nothing to lose..
Yes, can they not learn lessons from their European counterparts and still run the normal service but just leave the gates open and not take money for tickets?My understanding is that RMT are using a "hardship fund" to compensate members who strike
Leaving the consumer, who apparently it at the heart of everything the RMT and SWR do as the only people being punished. Amazing really.
There also seems to have been some behind the scenes dealing between Labour and the RMT, which with the election wipe-out will not play out, so presumably that will encourage more striking.
It's utterly baffling to me how taking action against Customers is an effective way to punish your employer who has nothing to lose..
djc206 said:
How does any union afford strike pay?
My union subs are £18/mth, a years subs wouldn’t cover a days pay.
It’s not pay - that would have to be SWR, it’s compensation from a war chest the RMT have. I’d wager this will slim it down a good chunk so any future action will be very diluted.My union subs are £18/mth, a years subs wouldn’t cover a days pay.
Shakermaker said:
krisdelta said:
My understanding is that the DfT are compensating SWR to the tune of £85m
My understanding is that RMT are using a "hardship fund" to compensate members who strike
Leaving the consumer, who apparently it at the heart of everything the RMT and SWR do as the only people being punished. Amazing really.
There also seems to have been some behind the scenes dealing between Labour and the RMT, which with the election wipe-out will not play out, so presumably that will encourage more striking.
It's utterly baffling to me how taking action against Customers is an effective way to punish your employer who has nothing to lose..
Yes, can they not learn lessons from their European counterparts and still run the normal service but just leave the gates open and not take money for tickets?My understanding is that RMT are using a "hardship fund" to compensate members who strike
Leaving the consumer, who apparently it at the heart of everything the RMT and SWR do as the only people being punished. Amazing really.
There also seems to have been some behind the scenes dealing between Labour and the RMT, which with the election wipe-out will not play out, so presumably that will encourage more striking.
It's utterly baffling to me how taking action against Customers is an effective way to punish your employer who has nothing to lose..
Shakermaker said:
Yes, can they not learn lessons from their European counterparts and still run the normal service but just leave the gates open and not take money for tickets?
Wouldn’t work over here.Firstly, you have the legal right to take strike action (obvs with proper ballots, etc) and withdraw your labour. You do not have the right to pick and choose what bits of work you have to do. If your manager tells you to man the gateline and check/sell tickets and you refuse then you’re opening yourself up to a disciplinary.
Secondly, most people affected are generally season ticket holders - they’ve already paid.
Thirdly, once your past the ticket barriers you are in a ‘compulsory ticket area’ and YOU are liable for a penalty fare whether the gates are open or not. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure YOU have the right ticket for your journey and who’s to say the gates are not manned at your destination station? Checking tickets is not a safety critical role and can be done by suitably trained office staff and managers dragged out for the day. No ticket? Possible fine.
Fourthly, this dispute is about the loss of guards and doesn’t affect station staff. They’ll be in as normal I suspect (although possibly hiding from the wrath of disgruntled commuters
). valiant said:
Fourthly, this dispute is about the loss of guards and doesn’t affect station staff. They’ll be in as normal I suspect (although possibly hiding from the wrath of disgruntled commuters ).
The majority of the time the passenger supports the conductor and doesn’t have a bad thing to say whereas some have had a pop in the past. ). With the way my company is atm, if the conductors did strike on a Saturday and a skeleton service ran with managers doing the services, I think the day would be improved
It’s awful at the moment.
SmoothCriminal said:
The trains are not capable and I don't think the routes have been cleared for DOO so no they can't just run the trains every one must have a guard.
This. It's terms and conditions. Once this is sorted the drivers will be opening and closing the doors. Even if they 'win' this round the 'war' is lost. Most would be better either looking for alternative employment or a driver training course.
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