Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway since September 2017 - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Getting back to talking about traincrews again, discussion seems to concentrate on drivers and guards but, according to peope's Tweets to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), it seems that there are many instances of catering crew not available even on a journey from Penzance to London on a Sunday.    GWR Journey Check tends not to show them even as there is a box for the info to be posted.

Makes sense. If the catering staff are working, there's no one to do the BBQ for the drivers that aren't. The Union is very strict about this sort of thing......one driver flips a burger and we'd be looking at months of strikes! ☺

[IndustryInsider]

Hmmm... You don't want to risk overcooking your BBQ references, TG. 

[JayMac]

From the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers):

SUNDAY WORKING, GUARDS – GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY

Further to my Circular No IR/300/18 dated the 4th July 2018 with regards to the above matter and where I informed you of the meeting with our GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Divisional Council Representatives, the Lead Officer and National Officers to discuss the union’s negotiating position regarding the issues raised in the resolution received from our Plymouth No 1 Branch.

“That this Plymouth No 1 Branch recognises that the GWR Guard Sunday enhancement payment is reaching its trial conclusion. Branch reiterates its position that Sunday Working Payments should include all grades that this Union represents and demands that any future talks should be inclusive of all grades.

Branch believes that a 1¾ payment with ‘no strings’ is a practical solution to solve the ongoing Sunday Working issue. Should there be no satisfactory outcome, then we urge the NEC^» (National Exhibition Centre - about) to create a dispute situation between this Union and the GWR.

Branch is aware that the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) sets are operational and that the travelling public have not been happy with the absence of a buffet car/shop facility on board. We request that the NEC re-open talks about the inclusion of a buffet car/shop facility in line with the East Coast IET sets which will create a better service for passengers and a better and safer working environment for our members."

I can now advise you that following conclusion of this meeting, the union’s National Executive Committee has again considered the matter and I have been instructed to negotiate a Sunday Working Agreement for all grades with Great Western Railway. Therefore, I am in the process of making the necessary arrangements for a meeting to be held and I will, of course, keep you fully advised on any further developments as and when the arise.

In accordance with the above, I would be most grateful if you could bring the content of this circular to the attention of your GWR Guard members.

Best wishes.

Mick Cash
General Secretary

http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/members-updates/sunday-working-guards--great-western-railway090818/

A typical RMT starting point to negotiations. "Give us what we want or we'll strike." 

[Timmer]

Not looking good if you are travelling to/from Cheltenham today, otherwise a good service elsewhere.

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Cheltenham Spa
Due to a shortage of train crew between London Paddington and Cheltenham Spa fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
CrossCountry are conveying passengers between Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Temple Meads via Gloucester in both directions until further notice. Arrangements have been made for Great Western Railway rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.
Additional Information
Replacement Road Transport has been requested to run in place of cancelled trains between Swindon and Gloucester. This has yet to be confirmed.

[Timmer]

I spoke to soon, the list of cancellations and short workings has increased as the day has progressed particularly on West local services.

[TaplowGreen]

I spoke to soon, the list of cancellations and short workings has increased as the day has progressed particularly on West local services.

Same old same old Sunday 

[phile]

There are 3 services cancelled in each direction between Swansea and Paddington that haven't even been posted on Journey Check.

[Timmer]

There are 3 services cancelled in each direction between Swansea and Paddington that haven't even been posted on Journey Check.

A few London-Bristol-London trains added to the list as well. After what looked to be a good service away from the Cheltenham line, in the end as Taplow Green says Same old same old Sunday.

[Timmer]

With the last train of the day to South Wales the 2130 cancelled, how do GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) intend to get people for South Wales home tonight? Note just to help things the 2200 to Bristol is cancelled too.

[Timmer]

With the last train of the day to South Wales the 2130 cancelled, how do GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) intend to get people for South Wales home tonight? Note just to help things the 2200 to Bristol is cancelled too.

And here’s my answer, just reinstated. Good work.

21:30 London Paddington to Swansea due 00:53 will be reinstated.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 10.

[TaplowGreen]

Monday morning......all cancelled, no crew.

05:18 Reading to London Paddington due 06:16
05:32 Reading to Gatwick Airport due 06:54
06:20 London Paddington to Oxford due 07:22
06:30 Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington due 08:42
06:33 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington due 08:14
06:42 London Paddington to Reading due 07:43
07:03 Gatwick Airport to Reading due 08:29
08:07 Oxford to London Paddington due 09:10
08:50 London Paddington to Oxford due 09:51
11:01 Oxford to London Paddington due 11:58

[TaplowGreen]

Morning peak LTV^▸ (London [and] Thames Valley) services. All cancelled. Given the time of year, I suspect this is down to poor management of resources/allowing too much Annual Leave?

05:57 Reading to London Paddington due 06:36

06:15 Reading to London Paddington due 06:45

06:20 London Paddington to Oxford due 07:22

06:42 London Paddington to Reading due 07:43

07:44 Maidenhead to London Paddington due 08:18

07:50 Didcot Parkway to London Paddington due 08:53

08:07 Oxford to London Paddington due 09:07

08:29 London Paddington to Reading due 09:25

[devonexpress]

From the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers):

Branch is aware that the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) sets are operational and that the travelling public have not been happy with the absence of a buffet car/shop facility on board. We request that the NEC^» (National Exhibition Centre - about) re-open talks about the inclusion of a buffet car/shop facility in line with the East Coast IET sets which will create a better service for passengers and a better and safer working environment for our members."[/i]

Best wishes.

Mick Cash
General Secretary

Hmmmm I treat this with some cynicism, Back in 2014 they striked over no buffet cars on IET's, and now they're saying the public as whole complains about no buffet's where is the proof?  If it had come from Passenger Focus then I would accept it. I do believe on the whole the IET project is a complete balls up, but we will just have to make do for 10 years or so until they get refurbished.

[TaplowGreen]

On a Friday in August, probably one of the worst to cancel;

17:33 London Paddington to Paignton due 21:19
17:33 London Paddington to Paignton due 21:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[PhilWakely]

On a Friday in August, probably one of the worst to cancel;

17:33 London Paddington to Paignton due 21:19
17:33 London Paddington to Paignton due 21:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Given this is a Peak service, it is not so crucial for long distance travellers, so I would suggest that, if any are to be cancelled, then this is the prime candidate.