Christmas train strikes

[Darthwazette]

AIBU to wish the train strike situation could just be sorted out?

Theyve just announced strikes right over Christmas. My family were coming to stay with me and now they can’t. I’ve had to cancel so many visits and trips since these strikes began. I wish they’d just reach an agreement already.

Link for anyone interested

A total of 332 million rail passenger journeys were made in Great Britain in the latest quarter (1 April to 30 June 2022). This equates to 75.8% of the 437 million journeys in the same quarter three years ago (pre-pandemic).

Total passenger revenue was £2.1 billion in the latest quarter. This equates to 70.4% of the £3.0 billion three years ago (when using 1 April to 30 June 2022 prices).

dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/passenger-rail-usage/

Thing is that if everyone just accepted their lot and let businesses walk all over them then we'd be easy targets for being exploited. I don't accept the argument that just because other people can't do it that a group of people shouldn't stand up for themselves if they can. The government rely on people turning on the unions, which is why they don't want to get too involved. Thank goodness people are now seeing this shower for what they are.

Most workers don't belong to unions, or subscribe to union mentality. Most people believe that the railways need modernising, can make use of more technology, and will therefore need to shed some jobs, some of which are no longer relevant in the 21st century. Additionally working practices on Network Rail are so outdated as to not be followed by any other engineering company in the UK. Whilst increased wages would be reasonable at this time, they must come with improvement in working practices. What is so wrong with retraining employees for several roles, flexibility, being able to work across regions, and in different capacities. The absolute hilarious (not that it is funny) being that drivers are not allowed to close train doors, as it is not their job. This whole one job, one person, regime is something from the dark ages.

This is an interesting read:

www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/network-rail-guilty-of-restrictive-and-inflexible-working-practices-14-07-2022/

The strikes are wearing very thin for me. DB was a member of this union before he retired. They are paid well and they dont want change, they want it like the old days. Bob Crow used to want the London Underground resourced up all the time in case of a terror attack.

And yes, the unions in this case are very militant. Be interesting to see what Labour would do if they were power. Perhaps be on the picket line too (oh no - they are the government!). Raynor saying she doesnt have an issue with being on the picket lines (she would say that wouldnt she!) but if she was Deputy PM would she really feel it was a good look to be there supporting the strike and also as part of the government.

You are however working for the public, and being paid for by the public. At some point, you need the public support, otherwise the whole thing comes crashing down.

Knitted - you said it far better than me. This was exactly what DB said when he was there...

Ha ha ha..... just reading this and I am getting an advert for South Western trains on the right scroll......

I agree with you there

Let's hope that we get the chance to see what Labour would do. Certainly many of us seem to have had more than enough of this bunch of incompetents.

Regarding the Sundays, they really should be brought inside the contracted week. But the government won't do that, it's too expensive. So the "offer" came up with compulsory overtime instead.

I don't really care about the average statistics (probably being dragged down by poor results on some commuter flows), I know for a fact that loadings in the North West are very healthy and are recovering to pre-pandemic levels quickly. Not just in the peaks but all day. What is keeping passengers away and revenue down is the chaotic nature of the current service, especially where TPE and Avanti are concerned. The Liverpool Echo announced in the summer that passenger numbers at Liverpool Lime Street were up significantly compared with summer 2019.

The government spent a year telling people that they should avoid public transport at all costs, and it is now banning operators from doing any form of promotions or offers. Is it any wonder that demand isn't bouncing back faster? The railway is operating with one arm tied behind its back. Contrast that with many European countries where public transport is recognised as a public good and worthy of subsidies - even if the results often still leave something to be desired.

I’m all in favour of the right to strike. Right up to the point they interfere with my kids ability to be home for Christmas. TBQHWU. Striking from 6pm on Christmas Eve will mainly affect front line workers who don’t work 9-5.

We are having to drive 100's of miles to pick up DS from university just before Xmas which we can do but what about those that dont have a car. The strikers dont care - they only care about themselves and stuff everyone else.

Point of a strike is to disrupt working day, show the worth of ones labour.So should the workers accept unfavourable pay and T&C so you’re not inconvenienced in any way?

They are being massively greedy and are stuck in the dark ages.

workers can strike so long as your kids are not inconvenienced in any way. Riiight you are
Regard the front line workers , the employer arranges transportation BH and public holidays. My Trust does

Tell me do you share that attitude with your children,don’t speak up at work it’s greedy, and oh so dark ages. Keep your head down don’t inconvenience anyone.

unions are necessary and required to be a balance against unreasonable employers

Point of a strike is to disrupt working day, show the worth of ones labour.So should the workers accept unfavourable pay and T&C so you’re not inconvenienced in any way?

The worth of one's labour is what the market will pay. Train drivers are already paid very good (possibly excessive) wages, when trains can now be automated, and driverless. They certainly, for that wage, should be able and willing to close doors!

They are not striking 'from 6pm' - the official line is that nobody is to book on after 6pm. Anyone booked to work from 5:59pm or earlier shall work. There won't be a mass walk out at 6pm.

@lieselotte

I thought they were supported by union funds?

It seems you are not alone, so many people think this too. I don't know why?

I think a lot of people on this thread don't understand strike action.

The whole "I support the strike unless it inconveniences anyone" is very naive. How would strikes be effective without inconveniencing anyone?

Strikes are an opportunity to show what sort of person you are. Do you prioritise the rights of others or your own convenience?

The drivers DO care. The stickers are ordinary people who will also have to drive 100s of miles, or perhaps they don't have a car?

The point Of a strike is disruption and interruption to service,to explicitly make a point regard wages,T&C,services provision
It will inevitably have an ouch factor

That’s great re Lime St but yes it’s a mixed picture most likely due to commuting patterns and wfh now adopted more widely

The ORR said that long-distance journeys recorded the highest relative usage compared to pre-pandemic figures, with London North Eastern Railway seeing a return of 83.3% of passengers compared to usage pre-pandemic – the most of any operator.

Journeys made in the regions were at 58.3% of pre-pandemic levels, with London and the South East achieving 55.9% of pre-pandemic demand.

www.transport-network.co.uk/Rail-usage-doubles-after-Covid-collapse/17735

STRIKERS, not drivers