Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

Southern Rail STRIKE details



Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Jul 11, 2003
59,198
The Fatherland
I'm not sure that his comments about guards hiding away in compartments is either accurate or indeed likely to help the dispute to get resolved. It's almost as if they're trying to antagonise the staff whilst also looking to seem reasonable to the customers.

What surprises me about this is that despite a relatively poorly informed (and amenable) media, limitless supply of pr advice and media onslaught via the government, and a poor public attitude from the union when interviewed, southern still fails to land a knockout blow that turns the majority of commuters against the industrial action and pro southern

His attitude stinks. If he's letting comments like hiding away, rolling back the clock etc slip out in a BBC PR exercise I dread to think what he's like in private discussions with the unions.
 




Leekbrookgull

Well-known member
Jul 14, 2005
16,237
Leek
Heard a good interview on The Today programme this morning with one of Southern's functionaries. The gist of the questioning was to press him on why the DOO initiative is so important that it justifies these consequences. There was no compelling or convincing response - just some waffle about investment in new trains.

What gets my own goat is when the official response is that 'customers have told us' that they want the guard's role re-defined. I'm guessing that if Southern customers were surveyed they'd say (to as near 100% as dammit) that they'd rather have trains that turned up, preferably on time i.e. no strikes.

It's come down to an arm wrestle between Southern and the unions and regardless of the rights and wrongs Southern have simply lost - surely?

Yeah,re-DEFINED aka means WE INTEND TO REMOVE.
 








albionite

Well-known member
May 20, 2009
2,753
My view on last night's debate.

Interesting no dft rep (although huw merrimen did a good job of selling the govt line)
Interesting no aslef rep
Interesting that it was 3 v 1 on the panel blaming the union whilst audience seem more evenly split?
Union rep needs to work harder on presentation although must be clearly difficult to keep your cool when guy next to you is clearly lying (as was found out when union rep did get the opportunity to challenge back on something said, which on didn't happen often enough in the edited bits shown)
Clearly wouldn't trust lynch or Horton as far as I could throw them. Most sensible comments came from audience esp ex staff.
Why do media still seem to think southern issues are all to do with industrial action?

http://www.aslef.org.uk/information/163227/bbc_southern_debate__the_truth/

In answer to why no aslef rep BBC did not invite them.
 










Seasider78

Well-known member
Nov 14, 2004
5,926
No you're right, it isn't accurate. Furthermore and this needs spreading - the reason Southern gave for this whole change was that the OBS would be able to concentrate on helping passengers and not worry about being at the doors at each station. However, it is a FACT that the OBS (assuming the train has one which is less and less likely) now HAS to step out onto the platform at each station, check that no one needs assistance before the driver can close the doors thus nullifying Southern's stated aim (not that anyone believed them). They may as well just shut the doors safely whilst they are at it.
Oh and another wheelchair passenger apparently left behind at Pevensey and Westham on Saturday night as no OBS.

I think the language used 'hiding in compartments' is inflammatory but saying this is not wholly accurate is not true. During this dispute I have paid a lot more attention to guards behaviour and I have to say that there are a fairly significant number of guards who do simply occupy the area close to the door mechanism for large parts of the journey.

A technical question but can the doors only be operated from a single location on the train? I only ask as this would explain why a guard may feel the need to stay close to the switch?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 








Deadly Danson

Well-known member
Oct 22, 2003
3,937
Brighton
I think the language used 'hiding in compartments' is inflammatory but saying this is not wholly accurate is not true. During this dispute I have paid a lot more attention to guards behaviour and I have to say that there are a fairly significant number of guards who do simply occupy the area close to the door mechanism for large parts of the journey.

A technical question but can the doors only be operated from a single location on the train? I only ask as this would explain why a guard may feel the need to stay close to the switch?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

No, on a 377 they can be closed from a guards panel by the door on each coach. The same guards panel that the OBS will need to use to step out onto the platform under the new arrangements. I think if they are working a service that stops every couple of minutes they tend to stay by the door but walk though more when there are longer distances between stations. They can also operate the doors from a rear or intermediate cab (which is actually the safest way as they can lean out of the window as the train departs and monitor the platform and press the emergency stop button if needed - however it's not encouraged as it does stop guards interacting with passengers as much but some do use this method when the train is exceptionally busy).
 






Deadly Danson

Well-known member
Oct 22, 2003
3,937
Brighton
Sorry TMLS, could you explain that further? Should I just search 'Brighton station' on Twitter?

Yes [MENTION=26439]Brightons[/MENTION]tation. I'd heard about this from colleagues but was also picked up by twitter. Incidentally for any train users it's worth following that account - often the first with info especially during disruption.
 




wellquickwoody

Many More Voting Years
NSC Patreon
Aug 10, 2007
13,585
Melbourne
Yes [MENTION=26439]Brightons[/MENTION]tation. I'd heard about this from colleagues but was also picked up by twitter. Incidentally for any train users it's worth following that account - often the first with info especially during disruption.

[MENTION=26439]Brightons[/MENTION]tation

Thank you.
 


heathgate

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Apr 13, 2015
3,441
After the OVERWHELMING ballot results strike dates are ....

SOUTHERN (GTR)
Our Ref: BR2/0146
19th April 2016
Dear Colleague
ROLE OF THE GUARD AND EXTENSION OF DOO – SOUTHERN (GTR)
Further to my previous correspondence with regards to the above matter and where I informed you of the magnificent results in the ballot for strike action and action short of a strike. First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our members for returning an overwhelming Yes vote in favour of taking industrial action.
I can now advise you that your union’s National Executive Committee has again had the opportunity to consider this matter and believe that the only way to stop management introducing Driver Only Operation (DOO) that threatens your jobs, working conditions and public safety is by taking strike action.
Therefore, your union’s National Executive Committee has taken the decision to call on all our Southern (GTR) Conductor and Conductor Instructor grade members to take the following strike action:
Members are instructed not to book on for any turns of duty that commence between:
• 11.00 hours on Tuesday 26th April 2016 until 10.59 hours on Wednesday 27th April 2016
• 11.00 hours on Tuesday 10th May 2016 until 10.59 hours on Wednesday 11th May 2016
• 11.00 hours on Thursday 12th May 2016 until 10.59 hours on Friday 13th May 2016.
Once again, congratulations to all our Southern (GTR) Conductor and Conductor Instructor members for your show of strength and solidarity in this dispute.
UNITY IS STRENGTH
SUPPORT YOUR UNION – SUPPORT THE ACTION
Best wishes.
Mick Cash
General Secretary
Want to know what these rail strikes are really about? Well, here's Sean Hoyle, president of the RMT union, "Rule no. 1 in our [RMT] bible is that we must strive to replace the capitalist system with a socialist order".

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
 




blue'n'white

Well-known member
Oct 5, 2005
3,080
2nd runway at Gatwick
Want to know what these rail strikes are really about? Well, here's Sean Hoyle, president of the RMT union, "Rule no. 1 in our [RMT] bible is that we must strive to replace the capitalist system with a socialist order".

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

And that, purely and simply, is what it has always been about.
 





Paying the bills

Latest Discussions

Paying the bills

Paying the bills

Paying the bills

Albion and Premier League latest from Sky Sports


Top
Link Here