Network Rail industrial action 2015.

[whole diary]

[didcotdean]

Question (poss for another thread) - If RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) also goes negative in July, will the price of seasons next January drop? Tories promised no 'rise' in prices - taken to mean RPI% each year, rather than a freeze in prices.

RPI was negative through much of 2009. The result was that the rise applied in 2010 was 0.7%, but the regime then was RPI+1% I think. RPI is unlikely to go negative this year on current projections.

[Tim]

Do I understand correctly that the Strike is from 1700 on Monday to 1700 on Tuesday, but that it looks like some trains will be running on my line (Bristol-Bath-Paddington) on Tuesday morning when the strike is supposedly happening, but that late Tuesday evening after the strike is over there will not be any trains?

The union's directive is telling people not to start a shift in those times - so on Tuesday evening they'll still be on strike.    Looks like the operating plans are to concentrate available resources into the daytime.

That kind of makes sense, and I didn't expect everything to snap back into place at 5pm on Tuesday, but I would have expected some services leaving Paddington later that evening.  IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion) the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) and media have done a pretty poor job at communicating what might happen.  All the news outlets have reported 1700 to 1700 as if that would be the period effected.

[Timmer]

Virgin West Coast are running NO services on both Monday and Tuesday. They are copping a lot of flack on social media for 'turning a 24 hour strike into a 48 hour strike'. Yes most of us here understand the logistics of services not being able to run before and after a rail strike, but most of the general public won't understand...and why should they? They just want to see services run.

There is also the added complication of getting the Preston North End (who are sponsored by Virgin Trains) fans back home after the play off match against Swindon at Wembley. Because of engineering work, last train to Preston leaves just before 8pm.

Thanks to Sky and the FA, the game has been moved from the usual k/o of 3pm to 5.30pm so a lot of fans bought a weekend package of accommodation with train home on Monday. If the strike goes ahead = no train home. Makes the challenge for the Swindon Town fans travelling by train look simple.

[ChrisB]

That kind of makes sense, and I didn't expect everything to snap back into place at 5pm on Tuesday, but I would have expected some services leaving Paddington later that evening.  IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion) the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) and media have done a pretty poor job at communicating what might happen.  All the news outlets have reported 1700 to 1700 as if that would be the period effected.

If they tried that, an awful lot of people would be wanting to travel - probably more than available capacity - sorry, I agree better to put people off unless they can be sure of running a reasonable level of service. Otherwise pax turn up & don't /can't travel, and you know what our media would make of that.

They can't win in this situation.

But I am somewhat surprised they think start up on Wednesday might be disrupted. Surely they can make as many ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) moves as necessary to get stock in the right places if services aren't being run late into the evening? I think I'd like an explanation of that from FGW^▸ (First Great Western). No other TOC has mentioned potential start up problems for Wednesday

[Timmer]

In my view this has already been a victory for the unions as its causing the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company), Network Rail and the travelling public a lot of hassle into making revised plans that may not be needed. Three days now and we've heard nothing. They say no news is good news, but when it comes to talks at ACAS that saying means nothing as they could talk for five days only for the talks to break down with the strike going ahead. Let hope this doesn't happen.

[chrisr_75]

But I am somewhat surprised they think start up on Wednesday might be disrupted. Surely they can make as many ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) moves as necessary to get stock in the right places if services aren't being run late into the evening? I think I'd like an explanation of that from FGW^▸ (First Great Western). No other TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) has mentioned potential start up problems for Wednesday

I would guess that if they are running some services on Mon & Tues, then it might very well not be possible to diagram in the right moves overnight to get absolutely everything in the right places for normal service on Wednesday morning and keep everyone within their legal hours.

In my view this has already been a victory for the unions as its causing the TOCs, Network Rail and the travelling public a lot of hassle into making revised plans that may not be needed. Three days now and we've heard nothing. They say no news is good news, but when it comes to talks at ACAS that saying means nothing as they could talk for five days only for the talks to break down with the strike going ahead. Let hope this doesn't happen.

I think it's more likely a shot in the foot to be honest, my impression is the travelling public is getting tired of enduring these strikes and it's likely to be a nice populist move for the government to further reduce the influence of the unions.


I notice Southern (ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about)) drivers have also voted to strike now, they must be being paid a pittance if they feel an above inflation pay rise is insufficient  :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-32810994

[Timmer]

A victory for the unions from the point of view of the aim of a strike is to cause as much disruption as possible to further their cause in negotiations. It's causing disruption now to those who have to travel next Monday and Tuesday who are having to change plans or maybe not change plans.

It's never going to win favour with the public, who as you say are fed up strikes on the railways on top of all the disruption caused by over running engineering work, a system falling apart because it can't cope with demand, the high cost of fares and in some cases tired worn out rolling stock.

Another victory for the unions will be the complete shut down on the West Coast line as that will be the headline story in the propaganda war in the media next week not the fact that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were able to run some trains on the Western Region.

[Timmer]

NO services on SWT^▸ (South West Trains) Tuesday with services running down during the afternoon on Monday ceasing by late afternoon.

[bobm]

I have to wonder, if there is a last minute resolution of the dispute such that the action is called off whether it will be possible to unravel all these plans and run the normal service.

[a-driver]

I have to wonder, if there is a last minute resolution of the dispute such that the action is called off whether it will be possible to unravel all these plans and run the normal service.

We've been rostered to work as if it's a normal day so as long as the trains are in the right place there shouldn't be any reason why we couldn't.

I notice Southern (ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about)) drivers have also voted to strike now, they must be being paid a pittance if they feel an above inflation pay rise is insufficient  :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-32810994

The issue isn't always the actual pay rise but the strings that normally come attached to it, the changes to terms and conditions etc

[dviner]

A victory for the unions from the point of view of the aim of a strike is to cause as much disruption as possible to further their cause in negotiations. It's causing disruption now to those who have to travel next Monday and Tuesday who are having to change plans or maybe not change plans.

It's never going to win favour with the public, who as you say are fed up strikes on the railways on top of all the disruption caused by over running engineering work, a system falling apart because it can't cope with demand, the high cost of fares and in some cases tired worn out rolling stock.

Another victory for the unions will be the complete shut down on the West Coast line as that will be the headline story in the propaganda war in the media next week not the fact that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were able to run some trains on the Western Region.

A victory for the union is the strike being called off because a settlement has been made.

[ChrisB]

Chiltern have updated their website. Trains running on all routes exceot Princes Risborough/Aylesbury, but limited north of Bicester to one shift of signaller. Better on mileage covered by the Marylebone box, but no trains between 1700/1900 while signallers change shifts

[old original]

A half term/bank holiday monday in cornwall -no trains and a sunday bus service - ooh fun!!

[IndustryInsider]

Looking more and more likely an agreement will be reached with RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)/UNITE as the TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) have now reached agreement.

[Tim]

If they tried that, an awful lot of people would be wanting to travel

Sorry. but the argument that lots of people want to travel so we are going to respond by not carrying any of them strikes me as a rather lazy response.