[Albion] Train Drivers Strike - Luton (a)

[Springal]

There would still be overtime opportunity, it’s at a point now, where basic service cannot be covered by even volunteer overtime, take a look at Thameslink over Christmas as an example. Some operators are in better positions than others

I’m still not sure I see the problem from a drivers perspective. Is overtime mandatory ?

 

[jackalbion]

I’m still not sure I see the problem from a drivers perspective. Is overtime mandatory ?

The problem is that drivers are still not able to cover service even WITH overtime, what I'm saying is that they need to recruit more drivers and still will have to use overtime to cover basic service. Its more that the drivers won't lose there opportunity for overtime, even with added recruitment, but the government need to give the companies funding to recruit. If we want a functioning rail system we need more funding for driver recruitment. I think the current drivers would be happy with that amount of overtime yes, but these levels are unsustainable.

 

[beorhthelm]

But if there were enough - would the current ones be happy about a pay cut with no overtime ?

probably not. and a lot of overtime is hiding hours outside so called "social hours". lots of conflicting interests going on, seems everyone quite content with the arrangment most the time and used to each party's advantage.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I'll bite. How long does it take to pass out as, a bus/coach driver? It can take up to 2 years to qualify as a Train Driver (depending on depot, route & traction knowledge) and the stuff a Train Driver has to carry with him isn't just an ignition key. Do bus and coach drivers fix their vehicles or call out for assistance? A Train Driver has to assess whether he can fix a fault before declaring the train a failure (or if he thinks he can does he have to have lines blocked so that he can work on the outside of the train) otherwise the backlog of trains gets worse and worse causing £££££ in delays and that can be on HIS/HER decision. There's hell to pay if the driver does so and it's found to be a fix well within his capability . All this, on his own say at 7.30am on a packed commuter train. There's no railway AA or RAC to come out quickly. I know, I've had it and had to go through the rigmarole of having to detrain passengers at Selhurst knowing that I am the last direct rush-hour morning service from the Coast to The City after leaving East Croydon. I made the announcement to get off - nobody did. Not one person. So I then had the horrible task of going back and facing up each of 8 carriages-full of angry passengers. It ain't fun. Overpaid? Never in a million years - the qualifying exam pass rate shows this. And having just 2 goes at passing out fully doesn't guarantee a job at the end.

Sorry, but I suggest you try working for the NHS.
The purpose of the training is to enable.
Based on what you’ve said it still seems well paid to me.

Oh, and I work for the NHS so perhaps I’m biased.

Edit - I’ve only skimmed the thread, so if others disagree with me that’s fine, but that’s my opinion.

 

[London Irish]

Sorry, but I suggest you try working for the NHS.
The purpose of the training is to enable.
Based on what you’ve said it still seems well paid to me.

Oh, and I work for the NHS so perhaps I’m biased.

Edit - I’ve only skimmed the thread, so if others disagree with me that’s fine, but that’s my opinion.

I'm sure ASLEF would support NHS workers in their fight for decent pay and conditions. The idea everyone has to fight over the same crumbs off the table is not how to run a modern economy. It's not that difficult, just stop giving tax cuts to the rich and invest in our public services

 

[British Bulldog]

I'll bite. How long does it take to pass out as, a bus/coach driver? It can take up to 2 years to qualify as a Train Driver (depending on depot, route & traction knowledge) and the stuff a Train Driver has to carry with him isn't just an ignition key. Do bus and coach drivers fix their vehicles or call out for assistance? A Train Driver has to assess whether he can fix a fault before declaring the train a failure (or if he thinks he can does he have to have lines blocked so that he can work on the outside of the train) otherwise the backlog of trains gets worse and worse causing £££££ in delays and that can be on HIS/HER decision. There's hell to pay if the driver does so and it's found to be a fix well within his capability . All this, on his own say at 7.30am on a packed commuter train. There's no railway AA or RAC to come out quickly. I know, I've had it and had to go through the rigmarole of having to detrain passengers at Selhurst knowing that I am the last direct rush-hour morning service from the Coast to The City after leaving East Croydon. I made the announcement to get off - nobody did. Not one person. So I then had the horrible task of going back and facing up each of 8 carriages-full of angry passengers. It ain't fun. Overpaid? Never in a million years - the qualifying exam pass rate shows this. And having just 2 goes at passing out fully doesn't guarantee a job at the end.

In fairness when I worked on the railway the first thing a driver done if he had a problem was ring the Signalman/Signaler who protected the train and passed the information on?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Sorry, but I suggest you try working for the NHS.
The purpose of the training is to enable.
Based on what you’ve said it still seems well paid to me.

To be fair, @theboybilly was merely explaining there is a lot more to driving a train than others had suggested.

What do you mean by 'Sorry, but I suggest you try working for the NHS.'? Your job has more responsibility? Less pay? Or is less paid for the same responsibilty? Either way I have never been a fan of these sorts of comparisons because different jobs have different demands. I am a fan of people getting a decent living wage though. If anyone feels disgruntled then they should focus on their situation and not view or criticise others. I'm not necessarily suggesting this is what you are doing though.....as I do not totally understand what you mean.

 

[beorhthelm]

wouldn't happen in Germany. oh.

Nationwide train strike kicks off in Germany

From Berlin to Munich, here's how Germany's rail strike will affect passengers this week.

www.euronews.com

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

wouldn't happen in Germany. oh.

Nationwide train strike kicks off in Germany

From Berlin to Munich, here's how Germany's rail strike will affect passengers this week.

www.euronews.com

As always, I’m shoulder-2-shoulder with my comrades on the Deutsche Bahn.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

To be fair, @theboybilly was merely explaining there is a lot more to driving a train than others had suggested.

What do you mean by 'Sorry, but I suggest you try working for the NHS.'? Your job has more responsibility? Less pay? Or is less paid for the same responsibilty? Either way I have never been a fan of these sorts of comparisons because different jobs have different demands. I am a fan of people getting a decent living wage though. If anyone feels disgruntled then they should focus on their situation and not view or criticise others. I'm not necessarily suggesting this is what you are doing though.....as I do not totally understand what you mean.

Everyone should be fan of getting a decent living wage.

However, I am not supportive of what is being asked for and as for comparisons, those will always apply, and given the limited funds nationally, they need to be applied to those disciplines where it is most needed, which to me are nursing staff (particularly).

With a limited pot there are a lot of more deserving cases.

 

[The Clamp]

Come on, there’s no magic money tree….

https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/members-allowances/house-of-lords/holallowances/hol-expenses04/

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-hs2-rail-costs-rise-again-by-up-10-billion-pounds-2024-01-10/#:~:text=HS2%20Ltd%20Chairman%20Jon%20Thompson,budget%20was%20set%20too%20low.

Sunak took £500,000 worth of private jet trips in less than a fortnight | Rishi Sunak | The Guardian

Lib Dems criticise ‘shocking waste of taxpayers’ money’ as Cabinet Office document reveals PM’s flight costs

amp.theguardian.com

 

[Is it PotG?]

This is just the start, you wait 'til Starmer and Co start getting leant on by this lot.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Everyone should be fan of getting a decent living wage.

However, I am not supportive of what is being asked for and as for comparisons, those will always apply, and given the limited funds nationally, they need to be applied to those disciplines where it is most needed, which to me are nursing staff (particularly).

With a limited pot there are a lot of more deserving cases.

Who judges 'most needed' though. I can see a case for nurses, for sure most people will. But those nurses need to get to work so public transport becomes needed and important. Nurses need to be educated so teachers are needed and important.....and so on and so on. It becomes a futile circle. I say good luck to the train drivers, and if others feel undervalued and underpaid then talk to your union.


Further, if we want to discuss the national 'pot' then I'd take aim at the government and not train drivers; the latest scandal costing tax-payers money is the Teeside Freeport is yet another example of tax-payers funds being avilable but only if you're a Tory friend/donor/neighbour.

 

[The Clamp]

This is just the start, you wait 'til Starmer and Co start getting leant on by this lot.

Starmer is an excellent negotiator. He’ll have this sorted within 6 months of taking office.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This is just the start, you wait 'til Starmer and Co start getting leant on by this lot.

Yawn. Yawn. Why do you never respond to any of the challenges made to your tedious and vacuous posts? I can guess, but it would be nice for you to prove me wrong.

 

[The Clamp]

Once the taxpayers funds aren’t being diverted into the pockets and business accounts of the wealthy Tory elite and their chums, we’ll see money freed up for pay rises.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This is just the start, you wait 'til Starmer and Co start getting leant on by this lot.

That said, I hope it is the start of decent wages within the public sectors.

 

[The Clamp]

I don’t think people realise just how much money the Tory’s have been stealing from the taxpayer.

Sunak and his government of convicted criminals have no desire to resolve issues with rail workers or NHS staff.

Cannot wait to see them turfed out of power.

It’s a pity they won’t be going to prison, where they belong.

 

[ROSM]

Everyone should be fan of getting a decent living wage.

However, I am not supportive of what is being asked for and as for comparisons, those will always apply, and given the limited funds nationally, they need to be applied to those disciplines where it is most needed, which to me are nursing staff (particularly).

With a limited pot there are a lot of more deserving cases.

The limited pot that is paying out to shareholders?

If anything, these strikes prove the issues caused by not being able to run a service. There arent queues of people wanting to be drivers and those who are dont want to do the overtime.

Its good old supply and demand and im shocked (shocked I tell you) that more tories arent falling in behind these market forces.

 

[Chicken Run]

That said, I hope it is the start of decent wages within the public sectors.

I think we all do but the reality I fear will be somewhat different! I think Ernest used to call it the Magic Money Tree during the last Labour Administration.