Furloughing of public transport staff

[whole diary]

[Cava]

My apologies in advance, but it is Cava "Ask a silly question" time again! 

I was wondering whether anybody knew roughly how many staff had been furloughed from local rail companies such as GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), SWR^» (South Western Railway - about), Transport for Wales etc, along with the furlough situation at Network Rail, local bus companies such as First and Faresaver, and in support companies like Westinghouse and Knorr-Bremse.

I would be interested in how it compares to the national average, what they see their staffing levels looking like after the crisis passes, and whether those furloughed now are likely to have secure jobs going forward.

[LiskeardRich]

At first kernow those deemed vulnerable were furloughed for 12 weeks. The rest of us are working a 3 week on 3 week off rota, as minimum period for furlough is 3 weeks. Should see us all take roughly 90% over the (initial) 12 week period

[Sixty3Closure]

I would imagine Network Rail staff wouldn't be furloughed as funded by the government. I work in the public sector and while our income has fallen I think it would be seen as politically unacceptable at this point to start taking the government money when people are struggling to pay bills, rates, council tax etc. I'd see NR^» (Network Rail - home page) as in the same position.

[ellendune]

I would imagine Network Rail staff wouldn't be furloughed as funded by the government. I work in the public sector and while our income has fallen I think it would be seen as politically unacceptable at this point to start taking the government money when people are struggling to pay bills, rates, council tax etc. I'd see NR^» (Network Rail - home page) as in the same position.

I would imagine that applied to all the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) as well, as they were effectively nationalised for the duration. 

[laird]

TfL^» (Transport for London - about) have recently put 7020 on Furlough for an initial 3 week period if that helps your calculation

[Electric train]

I would imagine Network Rail staff wouldn't be furloughed as funded by the government. I work in the public sector and while our income has fallen I think it would be seen as politically unacceptable at this point to start taking the government money when people are struggling to pay bills, rates, council tax etc. I'd see NR^» (Network Rail - home page) as in the same position.

NR have not furloughed any staff. A number of maintenance depots sent some apprentices home on full pay, this is more to do with social distancing in vans etc.  Some vulnerable staff or staff that have vulnerable relatives or partners at home were advised not to attend work if they believed there to be a risk.

NR full recognises the health risk it is asking its front line staff to work in and has worked with the Unions to develop, very quickly, working practices.

The difference between NR and TfL^» (Transport for London - about), NR is an "at distance" an Government organisation and is funded as such, TfL is funded by the London Authority with very little Government funding.

HMG will I suspect have to provide TfL with some funding to increase the current lockdown level of services when the National network raises its levels of service.

[Cava]

Thanks to everyone who has replied 

The ethical dimension is very interesting, and something I may not have given full consideration too. The wider ethical furlough debate is worth exploring too. Would it be acceptable for a company that furloughed staff or put them on short time working to announce an investment package or sponsorship deals, for example?