Railway staff unions industrial and strike action - 2023

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

Usually cancelled if no rail services are running

[Ollie]

Transport for Wales aren't part of the dispute. Any rail replacement to cover their service should be running as normal.

[old original]

I notice that after have a limited service between Plymouth - Penzance for today advertised nearly all week on the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) strike page it's gone this morning..

[TaplowGreen]

From what I could see South Western's reduced timetable held up pretty well yesterday, I went to Twickenham from Windsor for the Army v Navy match - virtually normal service in the morning but an early finish to services for which my liver at least was grateful.

It was easy to see that others had been affected however as the crowd was much smaller than usual - the RFU said 51,000 but it didn't seem like that many were there.

It was clear that train services from Liverpool had been particularly badly affected as the National Anthem was impeccably observed without any booing or jeering in evidence! 

[stuving]

From what I could see South Western's reduced timetable held up pretty well yesterday, I went to Twickenham from Windsor for the Army v Navy match - virtually normal service in the morning but an early finish to services for which my liver at least was grateful.

It was easy to see that others had been affected however as the crowd was much smaller than usual - the RFU said 51,000 but it didn't seem like that many were there.

It was clear that train services from Liverpool had been particularly badly affected as the National Anthem was impeccably observed without any booing or jeering in evidence! 

SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) did very much concentrate their limited resources on serving Twickenham (though ran as many trains via the Hounslow loop for some reason). So Windsor was about the only place to the west you get get there from, or via London along the main line from Salisbury or Farnborough (for Aldershot). Nothing ran from near Portsmouth ... favouritism?

[TaplowGreen]

From what I could see South Western's reduced timetable held up pretty well yesterday, I went to Twickenham from Windsor for the Army v Navy match - virtually normal service in the morning but an early finish to services for which my liver at least was grateful.

It was easy to see that others had been affected however as the crowd was much smaller than usual - the RFU said 51,000 but it didn't seem like that many were there.

It was clear that train services from Liverpool had been particularly badly affected as the National Anthem was impeccably observed without any booing or jeering in evidence! 

SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) did very much concentrate their limited resources on serving Twickenham (though ran as many trains via the Hounslow loop for some reason). So Windsor was about the only place to the west you get get there from, or via London along the main line from Salisbury or Farnborough (for Aldershot). Nothing ran from near Portsmouth ... favouritism?

Yes ironically we were talking to a few people from Pompey many of whose friends had decided to give it a miss - hadn't thought of that though! 

The good news is - the RFU have announced that those who weren't able to make it to Twickenham yesterday due to the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) strike can use their tickets for the corresponding fixture next season - a nice gesture.

[plymothian]

RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) announces strike action Friday 2 June.

[TaplowGreen]

RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) announces strike action Friday 2 June.

Oh my word they really are muppets aren't they?

Or at least they're totally indifferent to public support

All those Mancunians who changed their FA Cup travel plans due to the strike on June 3 are now stuffed again.....

[IndustryInsider]

RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) announces strike action Friday 2 June.

Oh my word they really are muppets aren't they?

Or at least they're totally indifferent to public support

You have to ask what difference public support is making now the dispute(s) has been going on for ages.  It doesn’t seem to be much of a factor (or consideration) any more from the ‘muppets’ on either side of the dispute…if indeed it ever was?

[TaplowGreen]

RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) announces strike action Friday 2 June.

Oh my word they really are muppets aren't they?

Or at least they're totally indifferent to public support

You have to ask what difference public support is making now the dispute(s) has been going on for ages.  It doesn’t seem to be much of a factor (or consideration) any more from the ‘muppets’ on either side of the dispute…if indeed it ever was?

Fair points.

I guess as far as the Unions are concerned it generates more headlines and keeps them in the News, although the Government know that overall the rail strike is causing only inconvenience rather than any serious disruption so are content to let it run on until it peters out................I suspect a face saving solution for both sides will be found at some stage that enables them both to claim victory (......that's the Unions and the Government, not City and United!!!) 

[IndustryInsider]

I guess as far as the Unions are concerned it generates more headlines and keeps them in the News, although the Government know that overall the rail strike is causing only inconvenience rather than any serious disruption so are content to let it run on until it peters out................I suspect a face saving solution for both sides will be found at some stage that enables them both to claim victory (......that's the Unions and the Government, not City and United!!!) 

I think that’s true, but only partially true.

The phrase ‘best and final offer’ has been used several times only for a better offer to then materialise soon after.  Sure, the better offer is nowhere near what the Unions are demanding, but they are improved offers nonetheless. 

If at some point it becomes clear it really is a best and final offer then I would expect staff to fairly quickly accept that fact and settle.

[TaplowGreen]

I guess as far as the Unions are concerned it generates more headlines and keeps them in the News, although the Government know that overall the rail strike is causing only inconvenience rather than any serious disruption so are content to let it run on until it peters out................I suspect a face saving solution for both sides will be found at some stage that enables them both to claim victory (......that's the Unions and the Government, not City and United!!!) 

I think that’s true, but only partially true.

The phrase ‘best and final offer’ has been used several times only for a better offer to then materialise soon after.  Sure, the better offer is nowhere near what the Unions are demanding, but they are improved offers nonetheless. 

If at some point it becomes clear it really is a best and final offer then I would expect staff to fairly quickly accept that fact and settle.

Provided of course they are given the chance to vote on accepting it, rather than Bruvver Mick and co deciding for them?

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, though I don’t think there has been an offer yet that would have been accepted that hasn’t been put to the membership.  But it would be interesting to know how close these offers are.

[TaplowGreen]

Despite tomorrow (1/6) not being a strike day, looking at the map/Journeycheck services seem to be pretty badly clobbered.

[ChrisB]

There is action tomorrow short of a strike by ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) - so no uncontracted overtime or rest-day working