Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[grahame]

In other words if I'm reading that right, to (just for example, and not exclusively) the MD of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), the perception is best keep your mouth shut & don't rock the boat if you wish to remain on the gravy train.

(Mixed metaphor I know, but seems appropriate!)

Not totally. I'm suggesting that the approach must be a very tempting one to many.  But it's more complex than that in that there are also many who it good faith are doing their very best in the circumstances.  If you accept my hypothesis that there are parties who are interested in having the whole thing very broken by, say, 2027 so they can make a massive popular improvement by 2029, you then have to ask how those who are trying to do their best in the meantime should act.  Both for the passengers now, and for the railways into the future.

[a-driver]

In other words if I'm reading that right, to (just for example, and not exclusively) the MD of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), the perception is best keep your mouth shut & don't rock the boat if you wish to remain on the gravy train.

(Mixed metaphor I know, but seems appropriate!)

Not totally. I'm suggesting that the approach must be a very tempting one to many.  But it's more complex than that in that there are also many who it good faith are doing their very best in the circumstances.  If you accept my hypothesis that there are parties who are interested in having the whole thing very broken by, say, 2027 so they can make a massive popular improvement by 2029, you then have to ask how those who are trying to do their best in the meantime should act.  Both for the passengers now, and for the railways into the future.

Your comments have made me think. 

GWR could be nationalised as early as next year, with as little as 6 months notice.  I don't want to be cynical but if the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) want to be seen as resolving issues then potentially they could reject the current proposal for Sunday working, a deal which would be seen by many as the private operator fixing the problem, keeping the proposal "filed" and then bringing it back to the table next year and then take the credit.  The hard work having been done by someone else. 

Whatever happens nationally with TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s, there's going to be some games being played.   

[ChrisB]

That is eminently possible, Prime Minister :-)

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) only need to give 3 months notice, and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are already past their core dates. Opinion seems to be autumn next year currently.

[TaplowGreen]

As has been said elsewhere, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are a zombie franchise now, with little interest or motivation in making huge efforts in driving improvement......they are history shortly anyway.

I've seen examples elsewhere where pride & integrity have driven organisations to seek the very best for their customers right up until just before midnight, but that's never been the case in my experience on the railway, and as alluded to in previous posts on this thread, those currently in the boardroom will be more concerned with keeping those who can keep them there happy from here on in.

[a-driver]

As has been said elsewhere, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are a zombie franchise now, with little interest or motivation in making huge efforts in driving improvement......they are history shortly anyway.

I've seen examples elsewhere where pride & integrity have driven organisations to seek the very best for their customers right up until just before midnight, but that's never been the case in my experience on the railway, and as alluded to in previous posts on this thread, those currently in the boardroom will be more concerned with keeping those who can keep them there happy from here on in.

Nearly all TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) are management contracts, private companies are paid a flat fee to basically do as they’re told.  Why would there be any interest or motivation?  They are all there to simply fulfil a contract obligation.

[IndustryInsider]

In other news, an agreement for solving the Sunday situation has been reached between the Unions and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), unfortunately the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have reportedly rejected the proposal. 

A joint communication from the Unions/GWR on 2nd July rather contradicts that:

“Further progress has been made at this week's 7-day railway talks. By early August, we aim to be in a position to approach the DfT seeking authorisation to proceed with the consultation phase. If received, we will arrange depot visits to listen to drivers' views about the package that is being developed.”

[TaplowGreen]

In other news, an agreement for solving the Sunday situation has been reached between the Unions and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), unfortunately the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have reportedly rejected the proposal. 

A joint communication from the Unions/GWR on 2nd July rather contradicts that:

“Further progress has been made at this week's 7-day railway talks. By early August, we aim to be in a position to approach the DfT seeking authorisation to proceed with the consultation phase. If received, we will arrange depot visits to listen to drivers' views about the package that is being developed.”

Looking at today's map and the lengthy list of full/part cancellations due to staff shortage, they might want to include Saturdays in the discussion.....

[IndustryInsider]

The additional drivers required to bring Sunday into the working week should benefit Saturday’s as well.

[a-driver]

The additional drivers required to bring Sunday into the working week should benefit Saturday’s as well.

Surely the opposite? 

In order to maintain a work life balance (should a deal be proposed and accepted) you’re going to want a guaranteed Saturday or a Sunday off per week. 

[IndustryInsider]

The additional drivers required to bring Sunday into the working week should benefit Saturday’s as well.

Surely the opposite? 

In order to maintain a work life balance (should a deal be proposed and accepted) you’re going to want a guaranteed Saturday or a Sunday off per week. 

You were telling us the deal is dead in the water?

[Chris from Nailsea]

In order to maintain a work life balance ... you’re going to want a guaranteed Saturday or a Sunday off per week. 

Posting personally, I disagree.

Before my retirement, I worked as a driver (grocery delivery vans, not trains) for ten years. It suited me to work every Saturday and Sunday - in return for a guaranteed Monday and Thursday off. My employer was delighted with that arrangement, as they were struggling to recruit drivers for either day of the weekend.

CfN.

[grahame]

We used to run a 24x7 business, with the most work of the week in the hotel department being on Sundays. Our team comprised people with various preferences but everyone knew when they joined that it was every day.  We only had a few days that we were staffed by people who would wanted that particular day off, and we never turned customers who had already booked with us away because we didn't have the staff to provide service for them.  Just reporting experience and saying that not everyone wants a day off each weekend.

P.S. - Did I ever mention in another job ... 8 days on, 6 days off, 10 hours per working day.  Friday was the busiest day of the week, and the double staffing on that day was a huge help and an excellent way to pass over continuing work issues.

[TaplowGreen]

We used to run a 24x7 business, with the most work of the week in the hotel department being on Sundays. Our team comprised people with various preferences but everyone knew when they joined that it was every day.  We only had a few days that we were staffed by people who would wanted that particular day off, and we never turned customers who had already booked with us away because we didn't have the staff to provide service for them.  Just reporting experience and saying that not everyone wants a day off each weekend.

P.S. - Did I ever mention in another job ... 8 days on, 6 days off, 10 hours per working day.  Friday was the busiest day of the week, and the double staffing on that day was a huge help and an excellent way to pass over continuing work issues.

It's fortunate that some people understand the concept of a "7 day operation".

[a-driver]

The additional drivers required to bring Sunday into the working week should benefit Saturday’s as well.

Surely the opposite? 

In order to maintain a work life balance (should a deal be proposed and accepted) you’re going to want a guaranteed Saturday or a Sunday off per week. 

You were telling us the deal is dead in the water?

Wait and see! 

Are you being offered a Vote? 

[a-driver]

We used to run a 24x7 business, with the most work of the week in the hotel  being on Sundays. Our team comprised people with various preferences but everyone knew when they joined that it was every day. 

Everyone knew when they joined the railway Sunday’s was outside the working wek, that’s the contract.

Just reporting experience and saying that not everyone wants a day off each weekend

True. But current service disruption would indicate people like having their Saturdays and Sundays off