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Author Topic: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion  (Read 791126 times)
grahame
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« Reply #2700 on: July 05, 2025, 14:30:17 »

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.

Quote
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

Indeed - we had the huge benefit of people knowing before they joined us what the job entailed.  Well actually not - it turned out to be a longer are far more permanent job than we planned.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2701 on: July 05, 2025, 15:23:00 »

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.

Quote
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

Aren't Saturdays part of the working week? Presumably staff are rostered for these services? Is there just a general shortage of staff or is it a workforce management issue?

Have there been a lot of retirements or other departures?

Surely we can't have a situation developing where the whole weekend is characterised by mass cancellations due to staff absence?

I'm sure everyone likes having Saturdays and Sundays off but there is a service to be provided?
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« Reply #2702 on: July 05, 2025, 17:42:49 »

Aren't Saturdays part of the working week? Presumably staff are rostered for these services? Is there just a general shortage of staff or is it a workforce management issue?

There’s not a shortage of staff, there’s a shortage of fully trained staff; then there’s the potential to have staff off sick, failed medicals, maternity leave etc etc or off trains for operating incidents. This is factored in but this case fluctuate.

Quote
Have there been a lot of retirements or other departures?

I don’t know. If you’re ex-BR (British Rail(ways)) staff I know you don’t have to give much notice should you wish to retire, a matter of weeks. 

Quote
Surely we can't have a situation developing where the whole weekend is characterised by mass cancellations due to staff absence?

I think this has been mentioned before, block week leave is all rostered in, the occasional day leave can be requested but will only a certain number will be authorised depending on the depot size. Some depots may only authorise two drivers daily leave. 

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I'm sure everyone likes having Saturdays and Sundays off but there is a service to be provided?

Agreed, tell that to the DfT» (Department for Transport - about)
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« Reply #2703 on: July 06, 2025, 23:18:05 »

Quote from: a-driver
Are you being offered a Vote? 

Well, er, no.  I’ve read the joint communication from the negotiating teams and understand where we are with the process. 

A fair way until any offer might go to a vote.

Unless the negotiators are lying, and I can see no reason why they would.

Though I’m all ears if you have any evidence that the DfT» (Department for Transport - about) have rejected a deal that’s not just gossip and hearsay?
« Last Edit: July 07, 2025, 12:54:48 by IndustryInsider » Logged

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a-driver
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« Reply #2704 on: July 07, 2025, 15:57:06 »

Quote from: a-driver
Are you being offered a Vote? 

Well, er, no.  I’ve read the joint communication from the negotiating teams and understand where we are with the process. 

A fair way until any offer might go to a vote.

Unless the negotiators are lying, and I can see no reason why they would.

Though I’m all ears if you have any evidence that the DfT» (Department for Transport - about) have rejected a deal that’s not just gossip and hearsay?

No evidence that I can post. 

I to have seen the latest joint communication.  I would have grave concerns regarding the process if I was a GWR (Great Western Railway) driver.  Let’s just say, your DDC isn’t as strong as it use to be. 
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« Reply #2705 on: July 07, 2025, 16:22:53 »

No evidence that I can post. 

Just as I suspected.
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a-driver
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« Reply #2706 on: July 07, 2025, 16:39:07 »

No evidence that I can post. 

Just as I suspected.

Glad to have met your expectations. 
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