RMT Extends Strike Action on Network Rail to Dec 24-27

[KM1991]

Of course if the Network Rail offer is accepted, the disruption wouldn't quite be as severe as in previous strikes, as TOCs such as GTR that aren't striking would still be able to run, and services such as Tyne & Wear Metro wouldn't be prevented from accessing Network Rail infrastructure like they have been in the most recent strikes.

GTR are striking. What are you talking about?

 

[dk1]

GTR are striking. What are you talking about?

It says aren’t.

 

[AVK17]

They are also saying no improved offer was tabled by RDG today for the NR dispute.

RDG negotiates on behalf of the TOCs in their dispute. They have nothing to do with the negotations for the Network Rail Maintenance and Operations grades dispute.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Just to confirm, the email from RMT states this is NR only. Seen news outlets make out that all RMT are striking on those dates which currently isn't the case

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Overtime ban getting cancelled is big news.

It is but of course how much time have the poor old planning community done already in preparation that just puts them even further behind

 

[43066]

It is but of course how much time have the poor old planning community done already in preparation that just puts them even further behind

Do they get paid overtime? If not, if I worked in planning, I’d be doing what was reasonably possible within my working hours and nothing further.

 

[Falcon1200]

The £££Millions now committed to much of the Christmas engineering programme will be thrown down the drain without adequate signalling & other NR staff cover.

Possible solutions; Train service is amended to finish earlier on the 24th and start later on the 27th, so that rostered Signallers are on duty for the taking and giving up of possessions; Or Management contingency Signallers cover the boxes required for the taking and giving up of possessions. Which will not necessarily help if signalled train movements are required during the possession, or of course if striking NR staff are working within the possessions.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Do they get paid overtime? If not, if I worked in planning, I’d be doing what was reasonably possible within my working hours and nothing further.

The NR people that do the graft will be entitled to overtime for sure the management grades generally not but i suspect ex gratia payments will be made to ensure works is done.

 

[dk1]

Possible solutions; Train service is amended to finish earlier on the 24th and start later on the 27th, so that rostered Signallers are on duty for the taking and giving up of possessions; Or Management contingency Signallers cover the boxes required for the taking and giving up of possessions. Which will not necessarily help if signalled train movements are required during the possession, or of course if striking NR staff are working within the possessions.

That looks highly unlikely.

 

[43066]

The NR people that do the graft will be entitled to overtime for sure the management grades generally not but i suspect ex gratia payments will be made to ensure works is done.

Glad to hear it. I would hope they’re also in a position to turn it down if it doesn’t suit them to spend long hours at work.

I ask because I spent years (not on the railway) being guilt tripped into doing unpaid overtime, with weasel words like “dedication” and “the team all pulling together” being used. It’s a mug’s game, which is rarely rewarded!

It’s a big cultural problem in this country we seem to have imported from America.

 

[gazzaa2]

It'll be spun by the Tory press as ruining Christmas but passenger numbers low over this period anyway. People mostly travel before Christmas eve, trains don't run the next 2 days anyway. However, it will affect Saturday workers yet again.

 

[DNCharingX]

I can already see the headlines tomorrow

 

[dk1]

It'll be spun by the Tory press as ruining Christmas but passenger numbers low over this period anyway. People mostly travel before Christmas eve, trains don't run the next 2 days anyway. However, it will affect Saturday workers yet again.

It doesn’t start until 18:00 on the 24th so most boxes will be manned until 22:00 & there’s an early train service finish so very few punters affected, just the planned engineering stuff.

 

[43066]

It doesn’t start until 18:00 on the 24th so most boxes will be manned until 22:00 & there’s an early train service finish so very few punters affected, just the planned engineering stuff.

I guess this is actually a pretty smart tactic as a way to bring extra pressure to bear, in a way that doesn’t cost the members buckets of cash, and hopefully doesn’t alienate the public.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

An 1800 shutdown on Christmas Eve is exceptionally early by normal standards if all trains have to be stabled by that time. In a normal year, last departures are around 2000hrs to achieve a final shutdown between 0001-0100. This will basically mean a morning service with the rundown commencing in the early afternoon.

 

[dk1]

I guess this is actually a pretty smart tactic as a way to bring extra pressure to bear, in a way that doesn’t cost the members buckets of cash, and hopefully doesn’t alienate the public.

My thoughts exactly mate.

 

[Kite159]

An 1800 shutdown on Christmas Eve is exceptionally early by normal standards if all trains have to be stabled by that time. In a normal year, last departures are around 2000hrs to achieve a final shutdown between 0001-0100. This will basically mean a morning service with the rundown commencing in the early afternoon.

Isn't it normally a case of anybody on shift before 18:00 completes that shift, but if someone was due to book on to start a shift after 18:00 they won't work it.

 

[Omnishambles]

Has anyone seen the offer from NR ?
Yesterday’s release was rejecting one from the RDG whilst the NEC were to consider a ‘complex’ offer from NR.

Isn't it normally a case of anybody on shift before 18:00 completes that shift, but if someone was due to book on to start a shift after 18:00 they won't work it.

Correct

 

[gazzaa2]

I guess this is actually a pretty smart tactic as a way to bring extra pressure to bear, in a way that doesn’t cost the members buckets of cash, and hopefully doesn’t alienate the public.

Yeah it makes sense, but they can rely on the usual establishment media to do their bidding of how it's ruining everyone's Christmas with cheap headlines beyond the reality of it.

However, I think it's Mick's last chance of trying to force their hand. If they still won't budge where do RMT go from there? As he's said today it's ideological warfare from the DFT/government and the TOC's aren't losing out. They don't want to be seen to be giving RMT a win when so many other key sectors are on the brink of strikes, instead they're making an example out of them.

 

[43066]

Isn't it normally a case of anybody on shift before 18:00 completes that shift, but if someone was due to book on to start a shift after 18:00 they won't work it.

Yes indeed.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Yes indeed.

So staff will be on duty when most possessions are taken then the shift following behind will just lose all the Xmas bonus money can't seem them taking too kindly to that.

 

[Towers]

Has anyone seen the offer from NR ?
Yesterday’s release was rejecting one from the RDG whilst the NEC were to consider a ‘complex’ offer from NR.


Correct

Presumably we can safely assume it wasn't deemed satisfactory!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Impact will depend on the work and the type of signalbox. All gets very complicated. If the majority of possessions were cancelled the ramifications would be fairly large for the major works side of things.

Interesting tactic by the RMT.

 

[XIX7007177]

Of course if the Network Rail offer is accepted, the disruption wouldn't quite be as severe as in previous strikes, as TOCs such as GTR that aren't striking would still be able to run, and services such as Tyne & Wear Metro wouldn't be prevented from accessing Network Rail infrastructure like they have been in the most recent strikes.

GTR ballot is returned this week.

 

[87015]

So staff will be on duty when most possessions are taken then the shift following behind will just lose all the Xmas bonus money can't seem them taking too kindly to that.

Unlikely, 1800 has been chosen for a reason. Very little taken on late shift given the start times.

 

[43066]

So staff will be on duty when most possessions are taken then the shift following behind will just lose all the Xmas bonus money can't seem them taking too kindly to that.

I don’t know for sure, but doubt it will be that ineffective, as I imagine they’ve thought long and hard about this as a possible tactic to use if necessary.

 

[Bald Rick]

According to tweet RMT is recommending rejection. Suspect it will be close if its not split between ops and mtce but at least this avoids the industry going into complete meltdown over Xmas.

There’s three times as many RMT members in Maintenance than operations.

Does the RMT represent planners?

A few. More in the TSSA. But in NR at least more than 90% of the planners being called out on strike by these unions have come to work.

This completely kills basically all Christmas engineering work.

It doesn’t.

You need signallers in the boxes over Christmas to take the possessions and hand them back.

See below.

Do they get paid overtime?

Planners do yes, up to a certain level of course. Some don’t

Possible solutions; Train service is amended to finish earlier on the 24th and start later on the 27th, so that rostered Signallers are on duty for the taking and giving up of possessions; Or Management contingency Signallers cover the boxes required for the taking and giving up of possessions. Which will not necessarily help if signalled train movements are required during the possession, or of course if striking NR staff are working within the possessions.

Very likely. As are other options.

I guess this is actually a pretty smart tactic as a way to bring extra pressure to bear, in a way that doesn’t cost the members buckets of cash, and hopefully doesn’t alienate the public.

But it does cost some members a bucket load of cash. Anyone intending to work Christmas Day + Boxing Day, and there are lots of them who were, will be losing a lot. Signallers in ROCs / Panel boxes will be losing over £2k for two days work.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

TSSA are putting NR offer to staff saying

The offer was considered at a meeting of TSSA’s Network Rail reps on Monday 5 December. After months of detailed negotiations – and an industrial action ballot and strike action – TSSA’s reps felt the offer addresses the core issues of the dispute sufficiently to put it to members for acceptance or rejection in a referendum.

Doesn't mean they will vote for it of course but shows that a half reasonable offer at least has the support of the executive which makes its daft that the RDG couldn't make an equal offer to TOC staff.

 

[Starmill]

An 1800 shutdown on Christmas Eve is exceptionally early by normal standards if all trains have to be stabled by that time.

There are loads of routes where last trains on Christmas Eve are earlier than 1800 every year...

 

[KM1991]

GTR ballot is returned this week.

Meaning what? RMT members at GTR already voted for strike action.