Staffing Issues Related To Cardiff? (16/09/2008)

[whole diary]

[Lee]

The 1630 and 1730 Cardiff-Portsmouth services started from Newport, reason given "due to a member of train crew being unavailable."

Anyone know more background-wise?

[John R]

Are these services still crewed by ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former Train Operating Company)), (and hence prone to the current industrial action)? 

[Ollie]

Industrial action by Arriva Trains Wales driver managers. It resulted in some drivers refusing to cross the picket line.

[Lee]

A couple of services appear to have been affected by related issues so far this morning :

06:28 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour due 09:54

This train will be started from Bristol Temple Meads.It will no longer call at: Cardiff Central, Newport South Wales, Severn Tunnel Jn, Patchway and Filton Abbey Wood.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

07:30 Carmarthen to London Paddington due 11:32

This train will be started from Swansea.It will no longer call at: Carmarthen, Ferryside, Kidwelly, Pembrey & Burry Port and Llanelli. This is due to congestion caused as a result of industrial action by some Arriva Trains Wales staff.

[eightf48544]

Industrial action by Arriva Trains Wales driver managers. It resulted in some drivers refusing to cross the picket line.

How have ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former Train Operating Company)) managed to upset their driver mangers?

[Ollie]

Related BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7617210.stm

[Lee]

More than 1,000 railway workers are to be balloted for industrial action in a fresh row over pay, threatening disruption to passengers (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7666705.stm

Two unions claimed lower paid workers at Arriva Trains Wales were being asked to "swallow" a two-year pay offer which was smaller than that to other staff.

Arriva Train Wales said it was "extremely disappointed" but would work to resolve the matter.

It said the offer compared favourably with the rest of the industry.

The RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about)) announced the ballot on Monday.

They said the proposed pay deal of 4.75% this year and the rate of inflation plus 0.75% in 2009 to non-driving grades was worse than a pay rise given to other employees at the company.

Voting will close at the end of the month and the two unions said they will co-ordinate any industrial action.

Arriva Trains Wales human resources director Dennis Baker said the offer was 4.75% for the first year, or ^750 whichever is the greater, as well as enhanced maternity benefits.