"Shortage of train crew" 28th August

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

The best chance of changing agreements is when a training deal is struck for the new IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) trains.

Not sure there is ever a good time, but that probably isn't as it could just drag out the negotiations until the deadline is nearly there and then RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) will have the upper hand. 

[ChrisB]

It'll cost....which will get passed on into the fares

[IndustryInsider]

Any increases should be balanced out by increased productivity.  That's the idea anyway.   

[ChrisB]

Not in this case. The unions will all want some form of increase to reward staff for letting this day off go....

[IndustryInsider]

I see where you're coming from, but in theory, that would be balanced out by not having the 'cost' of cancelling trains, or covering them by having to pay a premium rate for overtime, which is what currently happens.

It will be a very tricky change to negotiate though, so my money would be on the status quo continuing, or, at best, very small changes to T&C's.

[ChrisB]

I think it could easily be 'worth' 2.5% on their basic

[LiskeardRich]

When my former employer introduced Sunday's to the working week all affected staff were offered a compensation payment of 10% annual salary in exchange for signing the new contract of 7 day working.

[IndustryInsider]

I think it could easily be 'worth' 2.5% on their basic

To bring Sunday's into the working week?  Or to just remove the local agreements about being able to withdraw from a rostered Sunday?

[TaplowGreen]

I think it could easily be 'worth' 2.5% on their basic

To bring Sunday's into the working week?  Or to just remove the local agreements about being able to withdraw from a rostered Sunday?

Frankly it's bizarre that a group of people who have decided to work in a 7 day a week operation can en masse decide that one of those days is optional....and yes I know it's in their T's & Cs but these are clearly not fit for purpose judging by the worsening situation every Sunday...get around a table and work it out it is 2016 not 1975....I challenge anyone to name a private industry in which employees are feather bedded in this way at the expense and inconvenience of their customers.

[IndustryInsider]

It's been much better this summer than last year, possibly because drivers were feeling the squeeze a bit more after the rest day working ban earlier in the year. 

Quite agree that it shouldn't be like it is, but nobody has managed to get close to sorting it out, so I don't hold out much hope.

[ellendune]

I know it's in their T's & Cs but these are clearly not fit for purpose judging by the worsening situation every Sunday...get around a table and work it out it is 2016 not 1975.

So its in their T&C's do you expect them to give it up without some recompense?  No private sector company would willingly give up some benefit in their contract without recompense, so why should staff do it for a company.  Both are contracts. 

[ChrisB]

I think it could easily be 'worth' 2.5% on their basic

To bring Sunday's into the working week?  Or to just remove the local agreements about being able to withdraw from a rostered Sunday?

I thought the former, but Richard W thought more. The latter I guess would be sufficient though.

I agree compensation should be payable, but will the unions settle for a sensible figure?

[TaplowGreen]

I know it's in their T's & Cs but these are clearly not fit for purpose judging by the worsening situation every Sunday...get around a table and work it out it is 2016 not 1975.

So its in their T&C's do you expect them to give it up without some recompense?  No private sector company would willingly give up some benefit in their contract without recompense, so why should staff do it for a company.  Both are contracts. 

I would fully expect the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) to try to screw as much as possible out of the company, and that some recompense will be necessary, that is why as you will note I suggested that they get around a table and sort it out...I struggle to think of any company in the real world who would have allowed such a ridiculous contractual situation to arise in the first place.............in the end of course, we all know who will be paying for it.

[plymothian]

Point of order, why all the talk of RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)?

The shortage of DRIVERS is as ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) matter, guards don't matter as any manager can operate a train.

[TaplowGreen]

Point of order, why all the talk of RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)?

The shortage of DRIVERS is as ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) matter, guards don't matter as any manager can operate a train.

My apologies...........that's how demarcation disputes start!