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AIBU?

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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:
carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:38

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

I think you should write to Mick Lynch - when you explain that you had to miss your LUNCH I am sure he will advise the workers to accept a shit pay offer, staff cuts in the near future and worsening job conditions.

luckylavender · 05/12/2022 20:40

Youngatheart00 · 05/12/2022 20:08

YANBU

I would imagine public support for the strikes is wearing very thin indeed. The transport unions are famously militant and anti progressive. I am sure there was a compromise that could have been reached sooner. They aren’t the only profession feeling underpaid / poorly valued. A number of people rely on the (expensive) transport network only to be let down time and time again.

The strike isn't about pay though it is? It's about pay and conditions. Conditions being the main factor. Unions aren't in charge of ticket prices.

Quveas · 05/12/2022 20:40

Youngatheart00 · 05/12/2022 20:08

YANBU

I would imagine public support for the strikes is wearing very thin indeed. The transport unions are famously militant and anti progressive. I am sure there was a compromise that could have been reached sooner. They aren’t the only profession feeling underpaid / poorly valued. A number of people rely on the (expensive) transport network only to be let down time and time again.

Not with me or anyone I know...

luckylavender · 05/12/2022 20:41

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?!

It's not a strike about pay.

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:42

And don't forget the government is CHOOSING to pay £30 million a day to the train companies to NOT resolve the strikes.

The government wants these strikes.

Tipsyturvychocolatemonster · 05/12/2022 20:43

The strikes are clearly planned to cause as much traveller disruption and pain as possible, they are now targetting peoples christmases. I support striking, I get the need to cause the public pain to get what you want, I don’t support doing it at times like Christmas when people want to be with their families, not after covid where so many people couldn’t be. I don’t support it at all. It’s negotiation with a gun to the head.

And people shouting I support it. Aye. Until you need to pay for the increased ticket price to pay for it, or see a reduction in services or maintenance and improvement.

im pig sick of it. Everyone supports it, this strike or that, until they actually need to put their hands in their pockets to pay for it. When their commute costs more, or their taxes are increased, then it’s a different story.

AutumnCrow · 05/12/2022 20:43

The Government are sharks and the unions want decent, safe conditions for passengers. I'm with the unions.

Zone2NorthLondon · 05/12/2022 20:44

Mike Lynch has been articulate and calm in explaining the RMT actions, support amongst public has apparently increased largely because Mr Lynch is so able to bat away daft tropes about militancy and he can deal with Kay Burley et al

user7845209 · 05/12/2022 20:44

We planned to drive a long while ago, it was obvious there were going to be strikes over the Christmas period. The unions pay them anyway so they won't be without pay.

Ivyblu · 05/12/2022 20:44

I don't mind the strikes! I have plans and need to be in Manchester as I have the theatre booked on the 21st hoping I can make it..

I still don't begrudge the strikes though

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:45

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:42

And don't forget the government is CHOOSING to pay £30 million a day to the train companies to NOT resolve the strikes.

The government wants these strikes.

Here is Mick Lynch explaining this: twitter.com/Haggis_UK/status/1599836491970072578

I blame the government for not letting this strike be resolved.

Mojoj · 05/12/2022 20:45

I fear they are striking their way to oblivion. Automation is just around the corner.

allthatglimmers · 05/12/2022 20:45

The train companies are not allowed to offer pay rises without DfT sign off, they’re not even allowed to sign new contracts without the DfT signing them off. It’s the government that need blaming!

ilovesooty · 05/12/2022 20:46

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:42

And don't forget the government is CHOOSING to pay £30 million a day to the train companies to NOT resolve the strikes.

The government wants these strikes.

Exactly. They're banking on the not very bright voters buying into "the unions are holding us to ransom" drivel. A lot of people don't seem to be aware that there's been a mission to disempower unions since Thatcher.

Newuser82 · 05/12/2022 20:46

I support the workers but I'm a bit miffed that they haven't published information about the services that will/will not be running if the strikes go ahead as then at least people could make plans.

wiggle69 · 05/12/2022 20:47

YANBU, I'm usually supportive of strikes but seems the country is grinding to a halt - no post, no trains, nurses set to strike before Christmas, I've had enough

user7845209 · 05/12/2022 20:47

It will be automated like everything else, people, especially on MN want a cashless automated world so why don't they want it for the railways, very odd.

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:47

Tipsyturvychocolatemonster · 05/12/2022 20:43

The strikes are clearly planned to cause as much traveller disruption and pain as possible, they are now targetting peoples christmases. I support striking, I get the need to cause the public pain to get what you want, I don’t support doing it at times like Christmas when people want to be with their families, not after covid where so many people couldn’t be. I don’t support it at all. It’s negotiation with a gun to the head.

And people shouting I support it. Aye. Until you need to pay for the increased ticket price to pay for it, or see a reduction in services or maintenance and improvement.

im pig sick of it. Everyone supports it, this strike or that, until they actually need to put their hands in their pockets to pay for it. When their commute costs more, or their taxes are increased, then it’s a different story.

I do support the strikes. Presumbly you are happy with shareholders taking increasing amounts out of rail companies whilst putting up prices to travellers and trying to reduce staff?

The rail workers want the same thing as rail passengers - investment in railways.

Shareholders want short term profits in their own pockets.

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:48

Newuser82 · 05/12/2022 20:46

I support the workers but I'm a bit miffed that they haven't published information about the services that will/will not be running if the strikes go ahead as then at least people could make plans.

This is not the job of the unions, it is the job of the train operating companies.

TeeBee · 05/12/2022 20:49

Well yes, it's inconvenient but I totally support the strikes. I want my family to be able to travel safely by train. Until then, we'll manage.

ilovesooty · 05/12/2022 20:49

wiggle69 · 05/12/2022 20:47

YANBU, I'm usually supportive of strikes but seems the country is grinding to a halt - no post, no trains, nurses set to strike before Christmas, I've had enough

You've had enough? It's hardly started.

alwayslearning789 · 05/12/2022 20:50

Not sure strikes are going to change the fundamentals of Capitalism tbh...

user7845209 · 05/12/2022 20:50

Shareholders don't get that much anyway, dividends aren't that much

Cas112 · 05/12/2022 20:52

I support them, this is the situations they are aiming to cause people will grow sick and tired and hopefully there needs are then met. As with any strikes

carefulcalculator · 05/12/2022 20:52

alwayslearning789 · 05/12/2022 20:50

Not sure strikes are going to change the fundamentals of Capitalism tbh...

The problem is this is NOT capitalism in action because the government is paying the companies' costs using taxpayers money.

Perhaps if the government let the costs fall where they belong - onto the private companies who are making a profit out of our railways, there would be an incentive to reach resolution.