[ajax103]

Originally Posted by jopsuk

So it's going to be a next-gen Electrostar or Desiro then. Nothing revolutionary (like the Alstom).

I reckon Bomardier would be OK if they could sort their Quality (in the business-y, capitalised sense) problems out.

Well if we want reliable trains that works straight out the box so to speak, probably would be better to go with Siemens then.

Only problem would be the trains would be built in Germany and not the UK.

[87015]

Originally Posted by ajax103

Well if we want reliable trains that works straight out the box so to speak, probably would be better to go with Siemens then.

Only problem would be the trains would be built in Germany and not the UK.

And the fact they spank the track and cost more to run!

[MCR247]

Originally Posted by 87015

And the fact they spank the track and cost more to run!

I thought the Desiro city was meant to be lighter than other desiros?

Either the 350/2s have a higher MPC than 377s, so at least if the desiro city costs more to run, they'd be better than Bombardier in the passengers point of view.

[jonmorris0844]

People pay a hefty premium for German products, so I am not sure that's a bad thing. Sadly, we're not very good at making things here anymore - as Bombardier seem to be proving (as against, showing my opinion to be a total lie).

Just had an SMS telling me my train home later is cancelled (staff shortage, naturally) and I really do hope it's not going to be like this every day until God knows when?

Is the pay offer final, or in discussion? Will there be potential strike action or just a quiet protest as is happening now?

I'm quite keen to know when this problem may end, and when FCC is going to own up and admit to the problem rather than making excuses.

[73110]

Originally Posted by jonmorris0844

People pay a hefty premium for German products, so I am not sure that's a bad thing. Sadly, we're not very good at making things here anymore - as Bombardier seem to be proving (as against, showing my opinion to be a total lie).

Just had an SMS telling me my train home later is cancelled (staff shortage, naturally) and I really do hope it's not going to be like this every day until God knows when?

Is the pay offer final, or in discussion? Will there be potential strike action or just a quiet protest as is happening now?

I'm quite keen to know when this problem may end, and when FCC is going to own up and admit to the problem rather than making excuses.

Hi JonM. I quote this from another source;

I was told today allegedly, the company knew there was going to be a 0% offer to its drivers. Apparently they knew about this months ago and have strung along the union padding this out until the driver training thing had finished as they knew this is exactly what was going to happen so they have been playing everyone along these last couple of months by the looks of it.

They would have been right in it if this had happened a few months ago when the driver training was in full swing, hence why allegedly, they kept putting the talks off. They actually once said that they couldn't hold talks due to some staff members being on A/L and no we all know why. No wonder many senior managers have left knowing what was coming over the horizon.

Tomorrow there is a huge list of jobs uncovered at Bedford, they are going to struggle big time to cover trains. Next week Brighton and Blackfriars drivers will stop working them and that is when you will really see the difference.

I am sorry to say but the feelings of drivers is running high after todays news and it will take a lot of work from the company to get things back to normal, i.e a substantial pay increase.

The next meeting is on the 6th November. That offer will be offered to drivers shortly after then balloted. Usually the first offer is paltry and always gets rejected so that will take a few weeks to sort out then they will have to go in again and sort the next offer out. This usually gets accepted but I can't see this happening now until the new year at least. Until then there is going to be widespread disruption until a decent offer is made.

As I said earlier, it doesn't look good at all.

[ajax103]

Originally Posted by MCR247

I thought the Desiro city was meant to be lighter than other desiros?

Key features of the Desiro City include:

* A single car concept – a highly flexible and modular design with a combination of motor and trailer cars for tailored performance levels

* Significantly reduced train weight – weight optimised equipment and an aluminium bodyshell results in a train that is 25% lighter than current UK fleets

* Ultra modern flexible and modular interior design – allows multiple interior configurations for enhanced passenger comfort and maximum passenger capacity

* Energy efficient and environmentally friendly – an advanced driver advisory system, improved aerodynamics, an intelligent air conditioning system and intelligent stabling modes and are just some of the highlights. Together, the Desiro City’s reduced weight and environmental features enable primary energy consumption reductions of up to 50%

* High capacity solution whilst ensuring track friendliness – lightweight bogie design with inboard bearing concept and optimal wheelbase result in significantly less track wear

* Designed with maintainability in mind - the train design incorporates extensive maintenance and servicing improvements and innovations based on the expertise and lessons learned from the current Desiro UK

Note the facts that it will be 25% lighter then existing UK fleets and lightweight bogies resulting in less trackwear - must have taken note that the existing Desiros are too heavy for the tracks here.

[asylumxl]

Originally Posted by 73110

As I said earlier, it doesn't look good at all.

Don't suppose the drivers would be kind enough to make a spreadsheet of which trains will not be running ?

[Minstral25]

I agree it would be nice to have advance warning of likely cancelled trains for my daily commute which is rubbish enough already.

Especially interested in the 7:11 from Redhill (6:23am from Brighton) and if we are ever going to see a 377 on it - although this morning we had two southern green 319's which was really nice change from the normal disgusting "City Metro" units!

No offence intended to the drivers and other staff who I know do have a tough and responsible job but 0% is a lot better than some. For example at my work place, those not made redundant took a 15-20% pay cuts in the hope the company can survive - and average salary was only just over £24k which I think is a lot less than most rail staff. I don't think we are the only company in the past year doing that!

And the b#@@dy bankers are still getting their bonuses!!!!!

[73110]

Sorry but they made £374 million in the first quarter of the year and the CE said the economic growth was looking good. Record profits from across the water too, were talking millions here, it is just bizarre why they have not offered the drivers anything at all after all the help they got over the last year.

Your 7.11 from Redhill should be ok tomorrow as it is a Brighton driver on it and they are working this week out on their Rest Days. Can't guarantee next week though, it's just a case of wait and see if anything turns up. The company know what jobs are uncovered so it should be up to them to let everyone know somehow.

[MCR247]

But they 377/5s have got them havent they?

[73110]

Originally Posted by MCR247

But they 377/5s have got them havent they?

Got what?

[MCR247]

Originally Posted by 73110

Got what?

Sorry wrong thread!

[73110]

Thought so!! Was it the interiors you were on about ?

[MCR247]

Yeah, the seats

[jonmorris0844]

I've not had a pay rise in almost two years, and also know that the majority of other journalists I know have had a pay freeze put in place OR a pay cut.

Sadly, companies may well be using the recession as an excuse, but I would say that it may be necessary to accept the situation - and push for an assurance that when things improve, the pay will increase (much more than 0.5%) to compensate.

That way, you have an incentive to help make the company increase profits and they cannot wriggle out of it when they post huge gains again. If the company does lose money, you'd be looking at redundancies or a pay cut anyway.

It's not a nice situation to be in, but plenty of people are in that exact position whether they're in the public or private sector. Yes, some bankers are getting big bonuses - but that's not that many people.