Great Western Coffee Shop

We have been notified by the RMT union that it intends to hold six 24-hour strikes and one 48-hour strike on the South Western Railway network (not including Island Line).

RMT strike action is planned on the following dates:

    0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Thursday 26 July 2018
    0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Saturday 28 July 2018
    0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Tuesday 31 July 2018
    0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Saturday 4 August 2018
    0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Saturday 11 August 2018
    0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Saturday 18 August 2018
    0001 Hours on Friday 31 August 2018 and 2359 Hours on Saturday 1 September 2018


We will do everything we can to minimise the effect of these strikes.

More information on train services during these strikes will appear on our website in due course.

Worth noting, unlike previous strike days, SWR tickets marked "via Honiton" will not be accepted by GWR between Paddington and Exeter St Davids.  No doubt due to the current over-crowding and engineering work affecting GWR West of England services.

Or they might just head off to Axminster at the Cricket St Thomas turning and go via the B3167 and the Junction?

True, so perhaps pressure could be put on them to stop in Crewkerne town centre, rather than the station, in future.

I have emailed SWR asking about this

I’m sure you won’t be the only ones. I don’t know what passenger numbers are like at Crewkerne but I suspect it’s more than a fair few.

Saturday- nothing west of Salisbury or Bournemouth. Only fast buses as per today

Now, I'm not sure how useful the Crewkerne calls are. Signs up saying no trains, and the station is, according to SWR, unstaffed today.

According to RTT, was also an ecs from New Yard to Yeovil Jct early this morning and one planned to return to Exeter tonight. Perhaps a contingency to operate a shuttle if staff can be found.

Bob, I'm not totally 100% certain, but isn't the dispute about the role of the guards (i.e. they won't be safety critical anymore)?  I think the reference to their T&Cs is that those are their personal ones (like pension entitlement etc.).

I might be wrong though ::)

That is what I thought as well. But the RMT are now accusing SWR of intending to expand their DOO operational area, something which surely means the complete removal of guards/conductors (I haven't figured out the difference yet!), while SWR say this is completely untrue ('...offered repeated reassurances that we are guaranteeing jobs, salaries and terms and conditions of Guards...') so, as I say, one of the parties in this dispute is lying.

So while SWR and/or the RMT continue behaving like spoilt children the travelling public can go hang.

That is what I thought as well. But the RMT are now accusing SWR of intending to expand their DOO operational area, something which surely means the complete removal of guards/conductors (I haven't figured out the difference yet!), while SWR say this is completely untrue ('...offered repeated reassurances that we are guaranteeing jobs, salaries and terms and conditions of Guards...') so, as I say, one of the parties in this dispute is lying.

So while SWR and/or the RMT continue behaving like spoilt children the travelling public can go hang.

Parliamentary questions reveal taxpayers could pay South Western Railway not to run trains during RMT strike action
Questions tabled by MPs have revealed that the taxpayer, via the government, is set to pay South Western trains not to run trains during current strike action by RMT.

The shocking revelation com‎es as RMT members prepare for the next 24 hours of strike action from midnight tonight in the fight for safe, secure and accessible services across South Western Railway.

In response to a written question this week rail minister Joe Johnson was forced to confirm that South Western Railway has exploited a clause in its franchise agreement and applied to the government to be reimbursed for revenue loss as a result of industrial action.

In response to a written question this week rail minister Joe Johnson was forced to confirm that South Western Railway has exploited a clause in its franchise agreement and applied to the government to be reimbursed for revenue loss as a result of industrial action.

Inevitable result of DfT micromanaging the rail system.  - They set the DOO Policy - they take the risk!

............and the Unions take advantage.

SWR now advertising LIMITED service Salisbury to Yeovil for Saturday. Actual times to be published later

Thursday proposed timetable issued on link

https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/rmt-industrial-action

West of England services are two hourly to Yeovil Jct outside the peak, with fast bus to Exeter
BUT
• Crewkerne, Feniton, Whimple, Cranbrook and Pinhoe will not be served AT ALL. Local buses may be available but your SWR ticket will not be valid on these services.  Please use Traveline to plan your journey.

Dear all,
 
I am pleased to confirm that we will now be operating a rail replacement bus service from Honiton to Exeter St Davids stopping at all stations including Whimple and Feniton (operated by Stagecoach SW). It will be on an approximately two hourly frequency and will be in addition to the two-hourly Salisbury – Exeter St Davids bus service calling at Gillingham, Sherborne, Yeovil Junction, Crewkerne, Axminster, Honiton and Exeter Central. The detailed timetables will be available on our website shortly.
 
I would be very grateful if you could disseminate this via as many social media and website channels as possible including passing on to parish council contacts if you have them.
 
Many thanks
 
Regional Development Manager
South Western Railway

RMT suspends Saturday's stoke to allow for more talks

Let's hope neither side adds more fuel to the fire.  ;)

Let's hope neither side adds more fuel to the fire.  ;)

RMT Union says its members on South Western Railway have voted by almost 9-1 to continue with industrial action in the long-running train guards' dispute

Staff on South Western Railway (SWR) are set to stage further walkouts in a long-running dispute over the role of guards on trains.

Rail union RMT said the next strike would run from 00:01 BST on 23 October until 23:59 on 27 October, followed by further walkouts on consecutive Saturdays until 24 November.

It said SWR had "stalled" the talks process and failed to provide an offer.

The rail company accused the union of "needlessly disrupting" customers.

Nothing the company would ever offer will be acceptable to the RMT, unless SWR (First/MTR) agree the status quo will never change at all during the current franchise.  So I doubt the company will do anything. 

Paul

They won't, they can't.

Clearly aimed at causing maximum disruption during the Autumn internationals at Twickenham. I suspect SWR were expecting it so have plenty of times to make contingency arrangements. The RMT continuing the tactic of striking to disrupt the leisure market picking half term week for their 5 dayer.

I'd be genuinely interested in the contingency arrangements that are capable of shifting (the bulk of) 82,000 people to & from Twickenham.

That's the thing really. The dispute is not really with SWR its with DfT who are just hiding behind SWR.  Unless DfT back down SWR just have to live with it. That's why SWR insisted on a clause in the contract that means DfT must compensate SR for their losses due to the strikes and also why DfT agreed to that clause. 

I'd be genuinely interested in the contingency arrangements that are capable of shifting (the bulk of) 82,000 people to & from Twickenham.

"This train is formed of 1242 coaches"

Is rucking no longer permitted in Union?

Further dates announced

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-45804454 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-45804454)

In summary, this panel research shows the disruption is eroding trust among the travelling public, coming on top of the damage caused by the disruption following the May timetable change.It remains unclear to passengers exactly what changes Northern may seek to make to staffing on trains or at stations and how these changes might affect their journeys in future. If trust is to be rebuilt, then Northern, Department for Transport and Transport for the North will need to communicate much more clearly, and transparently, about the plans for the franchise and urgently address passengers’ concerns about accessibility and personal safety.

The next round of strikes on South Western Railway have been suspended.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-47282564

Certainly is good news, and probably the obvious conclusion after the resolution of the Northern Rail dispute. A clear victory for everybody involved on all sides, except the passengers.

From what I can see a clear win for the RMT and a loss for SWR/Dft.

Ask SWR / DfT, see what they say. RMT will help them with a face-saver, but will not hide their feelings at their own success. It comes as a bit of  a surprise, given that this was something of a proxy war between unions and government, but government blinked first. I expect the government will do the decent thing, and blame Chris Grayling.

…………….the way you go on about Chris Grayling, people are going to start thinking that maybe you don't like him?  ;)

At least it shouldn't affect the Queen's ability to get there.

Is there a reason why the instruction not to book on doesn’t include the 12th December?

Is there a reason why the instruction not to book on doesn’t include the 12th December?

Does that mean that the Communication Workers Union will modify their action to allow for postal votes?

 Makes you wonder what the RMT were thinking.
 
 Can staff really afford such a length of time off, bearing in mind
 the time of year ?

 With some manager's working trains, could you see the gradual shift
 back to work ?

More details have been revealed about how the timetables will be affected during December.
27 days of strike action have been called by members of the RMT union throughout next month.
They're planned to take place from December 2nd.
As we get closer to the walkouts, South Western Railway (SWR) has put out some information to passengers about the ways that will affect travel.

They've said there are a few key points:
More than half of normal Monday to Friday services are expected to run, but there will the same level of peak services as in previous strikes
Peak services will be much busier than normal though, queuing may be introduced at busier stations
Services will finish earlier than normal at around 11.00pm
Off-peak frequencies will be reduced
Buses will replace trains on some routes, with ticket acceptance with other operators on others

The map shows services from Salisbury towards London or Yeovil Junction will be less frequent.

It also suggests SWR won't be running ANY services from Salisbury towards Southampton Central - but other operators will be running on that route.

SWR guard desperate for deal as RMT confirms mammoth 27-day December strike

An SWR guard has told SurreyLive his thoughts on the long-running dispute

The 27-day RMT strike on the South Western Railway network in December looks set to go ahead after resolution talks failed.

Workers from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union are staging the mammoth December walk-out as the ongoing dispute regarding the future role of train guards rumbles on.

Arbitration service ACAS held two days of talks between the two sides earlier this week. However, the RMT announced on Thursday (November 21) that the strike will go ahead as planned.

Chris Luckins, an SWR guard, contacted SurreyLive after the latest round of action was tabled, saying he just wants the dispute settled.

He explained that the sticking point remains the future role of guards and the proposal that drivers would have control of opening and closing doors.

"The RMT have agreed that the drivers could open the doors of the train, and the guard will take part in the dispatch of the train," he says. "This would ensure that all passengers can board or alight in safety. The train guard will then give the signal to the driver to carry on.

"There are several rail operating companies who use this method of operation for their train services, both guards and drivers working well together.

"Many of the stations on our network are understaffed for long hours through the day and night. It is essential for those passengers who require assistance that there is a guard on every train."

Mr Luckins added that he and his fellow guards will be happy to support "anything that will help settle this dispute".

Campaign group SWR Watch has been keeping a close eye on the long-running disagreement. Jeremy Varns, from the group, says he understands that SWR wants the role of the guard to change from operational - dealing with the doors and dispatch, to providing customer service - information, checking tickets and helping passengers on/off the trains.

"In short, FirstGroup and SWR are currently not willing to make assurances beyond stating that no staff will lose their jobs and that all new trains will have a second crew member (with the driver controlling the doors)," he added.


The strike will run from: Monday, December 2 to Wednesday, December 11; Friday, December 13 to Tuesday, December 24; and Friday, December 27 to Wednesday, January 1.

On confirming the strike, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Throughout these ‎talks SWR have not shown any intention of moving the issues at the heart of the dispute forwards despite verbal assurances in earlier discussions.

"It has become increasingly clear that they are not interested in reaching a settlement at this time."

In response, a spokesman for SWR says it is "very disappointed" that the action will go ahead. "Despite promising to keep guards on all our trains and promising that they will have a safety critical role, the talks broke down yesterday," he said.

"We believe these promises deliver on what the RMT has been asking for, so these strikes are unnecessary."

This has been running for so long that I am beginning to wonder if RMT can actually remember what the issues are.  They have never really spelt them out.

At least I have the option of driving to Castle Cary to join the rail network.

I already know of a few people in Templecombe who will struggle thanks to this pointless action by the RMT union dinosaurs.

This has been running for so long that I am beginning to wonder if RMT can actually remember what the issues are.  They have never really spelt them out.

Timetables for services Monday-Friday 2-6 December now available:
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/rmt-industrial-action/monday-to-friday

Becky Bartlett, from Wokingham in Berkshire, said she was an hour late for work in London after her regular train was cancelled.

"I have various theatre and gig plans for the month, plus Christmas parties and events, which I have either had to cancel, some at loss of the ticket price, or I'm going to have to pay for a £30+ taxi from Reading just to get home.

"This whole experience is going to be horrific. I'm one day in and I've already had enough.".

This morning's BBC local report (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50614066) has a picture of crowds waiting at Wokingham.

Striking similarity to the Daily Mail cartoon!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7749355/PAUL-THOMAS-rail-strike-chaos.html

1. That there will be an active safety critical guard on every passenger train in service.
2. That guards will retain their safety critical competencies including an active role in the safe dispatch of trains.
3. That as far as practicable every station and train will be 100 per cent accessible for passengers with guards playing a role in the accessibility of services for all passengers.
4. SWR will guarantee the role of the guard until the end of the franchise and seek DfT commitment beyond the life of the current franchise.
5. That it is feasible to create an optimal method of dispatch in which the guard has an active and defined role as well as being able to provide passenger assistance.
6. RMT recognises the company’s ambition to reduce station dwell times to an appropriately efficient and safe time. The current difference between driver-only and active-guard is 3-4 seconds and RMT will work with the company on this issue. This will include implementation of driver releasing doors and future implementation of Automatic Braking-Door Open (ABDO) system.

Another bans "all out" strikes on public transport so that trade unions cannot shut down a rail company's entire operations.

I see in today's newspaper that among other planned legislation of the new administration will
Not a fan of strikes myself but do wonder if this sort of legislation can be counter productive. Seem to remember that they banned all strikes/union representation at GCHQ and then had to row back a few years later.

I see in today's newspaper that among other planned legislation of the new administration will
Not a fan of strikes myself but do wonder if this sort of legislation can be counter productive. Seem to remember that they banned all strikes/union representation at GCHQ and then had to row back a few years later.

The shape of things to come...………….

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/john-mcdonnell-promised-south-western-railway-strike-union-youll-be-with-us-in-government-a4303206.html

The new boss of South Western Railway has told The Times that he won't give in to the demands of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union even though almost half the company's weekend trains were cancelled last month because of a strike.

Mark Hopwood, who takes up his new job today, says that caving in over the role of guards on trains would sacrifice the company's ability to improve punctuality.

Trains are either DOO or they are not, compromises are not easy in a yes/no situation like this.

I am sure that Boris will use this should he propose any new anti-union legislation.

Can Mark bring anything different to the negotiating table that his predecessor couldn’t if the same rules laid down by the Dft still apply?

Maybe a different less hostile approach to the RMT?

South Western Railway train guard dispute finally ends

A long-running dispute over the role of train guards which caused widespread passenger disruption on South Western Railway (SWR) has ended.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union held 74 days of strikes between 2017 and 2020.

Its members had fought plans for drivers to operate the doors on new trains, instead of guards.

But it has now accepted the change after SWR guaranteed a guard would still be put on every passenger train.

Disruption caused by industrial action typically resulted in 800 trains being cancelled on every strike day, affecting tens of thousands of passengers each time.

The last strike came in January last year, but the dispute was still unresolved when the pandemic struck.

South Western Railway finds common ground to end guard dispute

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/rtm_swr.jpg)

Three years and 74 days of strike action it has taken for the South Western Railway company and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) to come to an agreement.

Causing overall a total of 800 trains being cancelled affecting tens of thousands of passengers.

The issue and area of disagreement concerned plans for drivers to operate the doors on new trains, instead of guards.

However there has been common ground found after this ongoing and ‘tug of war’ which raged through the pandemic with the latest strike being in January.