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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Christmas train strikes

449 replies

Darthwazette · 05/12/2022 19:58

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.

OP posts:
PanicAtTheBigTesco · 05/12/2022 20:22

snoodles · 05/12/2022 20:16

It's just getting ridiculous and the normal people of this country are being held to ransom. The railway needs to save money so they need to cut back to be able to invest, there isn't an endless pot of money to pay for pay rises! We are all struggling, there is a damn cost of living crisis, the staff have been offered a pay rise which is more than lots of people will be getting, but these strikes are affecting our way of life and it's truly unfair, unfair on families, on employees and people trying to visit family and friends. The unions need to stop! It's going too far now, surely they know this?!

Funny that there appears to be an endless pot of money for those at the top though...

Readaboutyourself · 05/12/2022 20:22

snoodles · 05/12/2022 20:21

Yes 5% this year apparently and 4% next year. I don't think I'll get any rise anytime soon. I don't know anyone getting a rise at all.

Show quote history

If you could do something about that would you?

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:23

snoodles · 05/12/2022 20:21

Yes 5% this year apparently and 4% next year. I don't think I'll get any rise anytime soon. I don't know anyone getting a rise at all.

Show quote history

Sorry you are not getting a raise but private sector wages in general are rising by over 7%.

Maybe you should consider joining a union in order to campaign for better wages?

snoodles · 05/12/2022 20:24

So are any of the staff shareholders? I'd genuinely like to know. Does anyone know the terms and conditions of what shareholders are promised?

lookersnoopy · 05/12/2022 20:25

@snoodles

Yes 5% this year apparently and 4% next year. I don't think I'll get any rise anytime soon. I don't know anyone getting a rise at all.

The offer on the table was 8% on Sunday. That's 4% this year, 4% next year - keep in mind there was nothing in 2021 or 2020 so that 8% is over 4 years. The offer also included withdrawal of ticket offices and many on board staff. These are real people fighting for their jobs. Would you not do the same? It's a bit strange to say someone shouldn't get a pay rise because you are not getting one; if you have an issue with your pay take it up with your employer/union?

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:25

mangomary · 05/12/2022 20:16

Strikers still get some money from the union fund don't they?

I think rmt are a bunch of twunts

Where do you think the union fund comes from? Confused The workers recycle those funds themselves.

The 'RMT' can't do a thing without the democratic vote of their membership - ordinary men and women.

lookersnoopy · 05/12/2022 20:26

Strikers still get some money from the union fund don't they?

Do you think the union is making up everyone's wages? Come on now

Nyedilemma · 05/12/2022 20:27

I don't think the latest announcement affects trains because they weren't running anyway die to engineering works?

They've been offered and rejected 8% I can't see there being too much support now.

I know it's about wider issues, primarily job cuts, but has striking ever saved jobs?

Over the last 5 years or so I've started to use the train much more, but plans have been cancelled 3 times now. It just means in future I won't plan to use the train, which will surely lead to more job cuts.

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:27

snoodles · 05/12/2022 20:24

So are any of the staff shareholders? I'd genuinely like to know. Does anyone know the terms and conditions of what shareholders are promised?

Confused

Each rail company is a separate entity. You can look up what they pay out if you care to. Payouts to shareholders are not promised in T&Cs - do you understand how private companies are run?

snoodles · 05/12/2022 20:28

I have not said that they should not get a pay rise.
I have not said I am unhappy about my wage.

Yes it's real people. Haven't the train companies said they aren't making redundancies until 2025?

lookersnoopy · 05/12/2022 20:30

snoodles · 05/12/2022 20:28

I have not said that they should not get a pay rise.
I have not said I am unhappy about my wage.

Yes it's real people. Haven't the train companies said they aren't making redundancies until 2025?

So take 4% now, 4% next year and lose your job in 2 years time Confused

Greta deal I don't know why they fucking rejected it Biscuit

Zanatdy · 05/12/2022 20:30

I’m so upset about the strikes, we have had to cancel our office lunch. Just a nice opportunity to get together pre Christmas but they are pretty much striking all week which is so frustrating. Christmas Eve is very unfair for those who have travel plans. Apparently they said they wouldn’t do Christmas so families wouldn’t be stopped from seeing each other. Well they back tracked on that

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:30

Nyedilemma · 05/12/2022 20:27

I don't think the latest announcement affects trains because they weren't running anyway die to engineering works?

They've been offered and rejected 8% I can't see there being too much support now.

I know it's about wider issues, primarily job cuts, but has striking ever saved jobs?

Over the last 5 years or so I've started to use the train much more, but plans have been cancelled 3 times now. It just means in future I won't plan to use the train, which will surely lead to more job cuts.

Yes, many times throughout the history of industrial relations striking has preserved or increased working standards in jobs.

Not everyone is willing to just lie down and accept worsening living standards, especially from private companies paying out millions - increasing amounts - to shareholders.

There is extra money for shareholders, but not workers. This is not about affordability.

TorviShieldMaiden · 05/12/2022 20:32

I’ve had to cancel plans next week, but I still support the striking workers.

lookersnoopy · 05/12/2022 20:32

I don't think the latest announcement affects trains because they weren't running anyway die to engineering works?

And if the engineering works don't take place?

Do we want them to just run unsafe or should it affect trains so the works can get done?

Zone2NorthLondon · 05/12/2022 20:33

are people genuinely so myopic that you think a strike that inconvenience you is going too far?
can you understand legitimate union concerns regard staffing, their T&C , their income and unmanned station
Money is always found for big payouts & bonuses to small group of executives. However when it comes to the majority workers requesting salary increase to keep up with cost of living it’s hell no

WhatsErFace2020 · 05/12/2022 20:33

RMT have been offered what the Gov are saying is a 8% rise - only it’s split out over two years ON THE CONDITION they accept

  • all ticket offices to close (so thousands of members laid off)
  • Catering staff to go (again masses of members job losses)
  • Sundays to be a normal part of their working week
  • an tricky worded agreement whereby they’re not longer allowed to strike
  • Plus many other rights taken from them

Don’t listen to what the media and Government are spouting, they are also blaming the train operating companies who have had nothing to do with the talks > this is all the government, once they publicly ‘break’ RMT there is no hope for any sector…

Zanatdy · 05/12/2022 20:33

mangomary · 05/12/2022 20:16

Strikers still get some money from the union fund don't they?

I think rmt are a bunch of twunts

My brother works for Royal Mail, he’s having to do overtime to try and get his normal pay. His wife is on Mat leave and only on the stat mat pay now. This has been going on for some time, some weeks there are 2 strikes. It’s going to be very difficult Christmas for many of their members when they are bringing home a lot less money. I doubt many companies have union funds helping out. Ours certainly don’t

AutumnCrow · 05/12/2022 20:35

I will miss out on Christmas visits, but I support the workers and blame the government fully.

CatchYouOnTheFlippetyFlop · 05/12/2022 20:35

Yes 5% this year apparently and 4% next year. I don't think I'll get any rise anytime soon. I don't know anyone getting a rise at all

I do. I work for a union and our officers are getting fantastic payrises for our members.

Solidarity to all the striking brothers and sisters ✊

Coconut212 · 05/12/2022 20:35

Zanatdy · 05/12/2022 20:30

I’m so upset about the strikes, we have had to cancel our office lunch. Just a nice opportunity to get together pre Christmas but they are pretty much striking all week which is so frustrating. Christmas Eve is very unfair for those who have travel plans. Apparently they said they wouldn’t do Christmas so families wouldn’t be stopped from seeing each other. Well they back tracked on that

Oh no you missed out on lunch when thousand of workers are fighting for their jobs.

Zone2NorthLondon · 05/12/2022 20:37

Zanatdy · 05/12/2022 20:30

I’m so upset about the strikes, we have had to cancel our office lunch. Just a nice opportunity to get together pre Christmas but they are pretty much striking all week which is so frustrating. Christmas Eve is very unfair for those who have travel plans. Apparently they said they wouldn’t do Christmas so families wouldn’t be stopped from seeing each other. Well they back tracked on that

Reread your own post,it comes across as tone deaf and out of touch
Your nice lunch is disrupted?Hardly end of the world, reschedule it
The point of a strike is disruption &. Inconvenience. It’s not to tip toe about innocuously not being noticed.

lookersnoopy · 05/12/2022 20:37

I’m so upset about the strikes, we have had to cancel our office lunch. Just a nice opportunity to get together pre Christmas but they are pretty much striking all week which is so frustrating.

So upset? About a lunch? Can you not just go somewhere that doesn't need train?

Christmas Eve is very unfair for those who have travel plans. Apparently they said they wouldn’t do Christmas so families wouldn’t be stopped from seeing each other. Well they back tracked on that

Christmas Eve should be largely unaffected as it is network rail staff who start after 6pm who are not to book on.

luckylavender · 05/12/2022 20:38

Darthwazette · 05/12/2022 20:07

Gosh. There’s no need to be so aggressive. Are people always so rude?

Everyone wants it to be over. But strikes are meant to be disruptive. That's the point.

ilovesooty · 05/12/2022 20:38

snoodles · 05/12/2022 20:16

It's just getting ridiculous and the normal people of this country are being held to ransom. The railway needs to save money so they need to cut back to be able to invest, there isn't an endless pot of money to pay for pay rises! We are all struggling, there is a damn cost of living crisis, the staff have been offered a pay rise which is more than lots of people will be getting, but these strikes are affecting our way of life and it's truly unfair, unfair on families, on employees and people trying to visit family and friends. The unions need to stop! It's going too far now, surely they know this?!

Perhaps the government should show a willingness to negotiate then.

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