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Southern Rail STRIKE details
- Thread starter Ernest
- Start date
Deadly Danson
Well-known member
Firstly, I would argue that it isn't as safe but I agree that it has worked comparatively safely and certainly more safely when there is a platform dispatcher to safely see the train away. Secondly, with the majority of the tube in consistent lighting it is easier for the driver to see clearly all the monitors. Outside, sunlight, rain, fog etc can all make it incredibly hard for a driver to see fuzzy monitors along the full length of a 12 coach train whilst also concentrating on signals etc. A guard around half the way down the train has the perfect view of both ends of the train as well as peripheral vision which the driver doesn't have thus being able to take into account those rushing at the last minute to try to board the train.
I would also add that there have been instances recently of disgruntled passengers taking it open themselves to force open doors and walk along tracks during major disruption risking everyone's lives. A guard is trained to safely evacuate a train.
Make no mistake this move by GTR is the precursor to removing guards from trains completely – if they are allowed to get away with these current changes, then it won't be long before trains run without guards completely. You may not always notice them but they are safety trained and could one day save your life. Would you be comfortable dealing with an emergency evacuation with live rails around you in coach 12 with only the driver up front to assist? Who would you turn to if you were assaulted on a quiet 12 coach train?
This is not about anyone's job becoming less “cushy”, it is not about money, it is not about anyone not wanting to do any more work, it's about safety and customer service.
I promise you – I couldn't be less militant but these are important principles that have to be stood up for. I do understand commuter's frustrations over these strikes but if the fight doesn't start now the service and safety of your trains will drop dramatically over the next few years and I genuinely fear a major disaster sometime in the future. And just to add, punctuality will plummet even further if that's possible – every wheelchair, every alarm, every incident will have to be investigated and dealt with by the driver who will have to shut down the cab, contact the signaller and walk potentially a quarter of a mile to the end of the train to deal with whatever is occurring blocking the whole line whilst he does this.
And all that has distracted me wonderfully from tonight's game!
Maybe your job will be too soon or a zero hour contract.
theboybilly
Well-known member
I take it that was all smugly written from a position from where you will never be in jeopardy of losing your livelihood. That aside, you obviously know nothing of what this dispute is about
Washie
Well-known member
You could say that about all Jobs.
Seasider78
Well-known member
- Nov 14, 2004
- 5,937
I am struggling with the original part about fog and lighting as if you want another example of non guard operated doors then the docklands light railway also operated within guard operated doors
I get that the union thinks this is the first step to reducing guards on trains but that has not actually been confirmed has it. This is the crux of this issue the safety concerns I feel are being overplayed here as a smokescreen to get public support (which judging by the initial response on here is wearing thin)
I stand by my original point that I think the union reaction here looks excessive
That said we don't have to agree just a difference of opinion!
Now turn our attention to something we can agree on which is 3 points tonight!
Deadly Danson
Well-known member
Well said.
I've been there and been hacked off with rail strikes in the past, but looking back who cares? No one even remembers that I was late for work etc. or took time off at the time. In my opinion, lose the stress, a boss in a bad mood will soon forget it, no one will care in a few weeks except the rail workers who will still be working under the same conditions.
I support their action.
I support their action.
biddles911
New member
- May 12, 2014
- 348
I have been using Southern Rail for much of the past year, travelling up to London from Worthing, and can confirm that the vast majority of your guards do sod all apart from cowering away in their compartment most of the journey and making an occasional announcement.
I therefore see no downside to driver-only trains apart from saving a lot of money which can hopefully be ploughed back into improving an abysmal service or reducing fares!
Remember what happened to the print unions for much the same reason......?
Lower West Stander
Well-known member
"Congratulations on voting for a strike" Mick Cash
Just about sums up Rail Unions.......
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Just about sums up Rail Unions.......
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Southern and their staff provide a p155 poor service as it is so I doubt anyone will notice a strike. Yet governments, councils and providers shrug their shoulders when asked why people won't use public transport. One reason I decided to accept a job in Brighton at a lower salary was to ensure I didn't have to contend with the morons running and working on our railway system.
Publius Ovidius
Well-known member
"Magnificent results". I thought that strikes were the very last resort and everyone hated being on strike and would do anything they could not to inconvenience the travelling public.
Maybe the comment is a tad disingenuous
I'm fully supportive of strike action to protect these jobs. I think the role of the guard is an important one.
Where SASTA staff lose all sympathy - especially from traveling commuters - is in their attitude towards their customers. Far too many of them are grumpy unhelpful toss pots who have chips on their shoulders and little regard for the traveling public. Not all of them, but more than 50% could do with a good sheep dip of customer service training.
Add to that Mick Cash's almost celebratory tone in his letter to members and you'll why most of us are left feeling aggrieved towards EVERY Southern and Thameslink member of staff. (capitals for you [MENTION=1416]Ernest[/MENTION] )
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Where SASTA staff lose all sympathy - especially from traveling commuters - is in their attitude towards their customers. Far too many of them are grumpy unhelpful toss pots who have chips on their shoulders and little regard for the traveling public. Not all of them, but more than 50% could do with a good sheep dip of customer service training.
Add to that Mick Cash's almost celebratory tone in his letter to members and you'll why most of us are left feeling aggrieved towards EVERY Southern and Thameslink member of staff. (capitals for you [MENTION=1416]Ernest[/MENTION] )
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biddles911
New member
- May 12, 2014
- 348
Just what do you think that guards do that's so important!?
Forget the rubbish about safety; train accidents are extremely rare and, if the tubes can manage with drivers only, as said previously, I see no reason why trains can't?
If they did the job they're employed for e.g. check tickets and patrol the train properly, I'd have a little more sympathy but they don't even do that, as I know from personal experience......
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,290
agree to that. while im supportive of the objective and see no good reason to change guards to some customer role, they arent making any case for why the action is required. instead the immediate decision of the union to call out the staff for maximum inconvinence to the paying public, along with the trite rhetoric, makes my opinion shift rapidly from sympathy to when can we have automated trains?
I think you've hit the nail on the head though. I think there is a job to be done in patrolling the train, helping passengers with up to date information, reporting faults (even fixing stuff on trains where possible); helping passengers with mobility needs; and safety. I think safety is enhanced by having a guard (like cabin crew). However, most don't do that job properly, and they often alienate their passengers with their behaviour and attitude.
How ironic it is that Mick Cash talks about Unity being Strength. If SASTA staff actually tried to deliver great service and build some unity with their customers then perhaps their customers would be objecting to GTR. As it is, I'm supportive of having guards and yet I have little sympathy for the strikers and will just give a shrug if they lose.
Let's face it, hardly any of us will be hooting to support these strikers.
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The Merry Prankster
Pactum serva
I support them but they don't make it easy.