ATW Drivers Strike

[TDK]

According to an email RMT sent out, they held a ballot as well.

Maybe they did however it was first called by ASLEF I believe but it is good to see solidarity between the two unions.

 

[313103]

The ballot was originally for ASLEF members and I am not certain whether there was a ballot for RMT members. Possibly the RMT jumping on the band wagon.

So you dont really know, but still like to get in a sarcastic comment. My god if i made such a comment about our supposed sister union i would be put to the lions.

 

[TDK]

So you dont really know, but still like to get in a sarcastic comment. My god if i made such a comment about our supposed sister union i would be put to the lions.

All I know is ASLEF failed to agree on the conditions where the RMT did agree and the retracted. ASLEF called a strike and then the RMT publicise its members are striking. As far as I am concerned ASLEF are nothing to do with the RMT and if I actually called then a sister union I would be thrown to the lions.

 

[313103]

All I know is ASLEF failed to agree on the conditions where the RMT did agree and the retracted. ASLEF called a strike and then the RMT publicise its members are striking. As far as I am concerned ASLEF are nothing to do with the RMT and if I actually called then a sister union I would be thrown to the lions.

For the record ALL the unions agreed to the deal, but as is usual Aslef pulled out of the deal and called a ballot for strike action at the last minute (no doubt to try and convince the company to get a better deal for them as it was close to the Rugby world cup hmmmm) so RMT walked away as well.

I dont actually call your lot a sister union after all the cosy little deals they have done to shaft other grades, i have been personally affected by deals agreed by your union even though they didnt represent me or my grade!

 

[Pumbaa]

Most companies only allow managers to drive if the driver is also present to stop managers being used instead of recruiting enough drivers. It's part a union agreement and partly to prevent the managers not being able to do their jobs because they are covering turn everyday. Obviously it's also impractical as if a manager is driving a train alone and gets called to an incident they can't just abandon that train so the actual driver is required to take over in such an event

During strikes all competent managers not in the striking union will be made to drive on an amended timetable. During strike action those agreements obviously are not held.

Lots of slow moving trains that day as the managers try to remember how to drive and where they are!

That's generally the case. Mostly for good relationship nurturing.

There are a few exceptions though; some TOCs have an agreement that trained managers can move stock around in major disruption to help keep stuff moving (ie out the terminus to the yard to free up platforms) and that there is a mechanism where if there is no driver available in exceptional circumstance (ie gone home ill and no spare at location) a manager can take it forward to where the spare driver can relieve them, again to keel the job moving.

 

[notadriver]

It could only be a driver manager that could do it. No other managers can move trains but shunter drivers can of course move trains from depot to platform and vice versa.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Any chance that I will be able to take advantage of the ATW Club 55 offer to travel from Wilmslow to the two destinations of Ludlow and Hereford in the foreseeable future, bearing the threat of strike actions in mind (and the temporary nature of the current suspension)...or shall we just settle for going to York instead, a place not famed for seeing ATW services?

 

[A-driver]

It could only be a driver manager that could do it. No other managers can move trains but shunter drivers can of course move trains from depot to platform and vice versa.

That's very rare and probably specific to your toc. Generally no Shunter can drive on any NR metals. Southern shutters at Stretham hill depot can't even shunt trains up sidings to down, they need a mainline driver to do it as it involves running over a few meters of NR infrastructure. Generally shutters can only drive within the toc controlled boundaries of the yard and can't go past the point where NR take control of the rails.

 

[TDK]

Well we haven't had too many drivers on here actually trying to justify their reasons for this possible strike , so if it's unfair/unduly harsh criticism they are welcome to come on here and clarify in plain English why they feel Strike action is needed

It is a drivers' contract not to discuss any company business on open media websites and this is the most likely reason why drivers have not commented on the reasons for strike action.

 

[Carlisle]

It is a drivers' contract not to discuss any company business on open media websites and this is the most likely reason why drivers have not commented on the reasons for strike action.

Ok cheers I appreciate that reasoning

 

[red2005]

For the record ALL the unions agreed to the deal, but as is usual Aslef pulled out of the deal and called a ballot for strike action at the last minute (no doubt to try and convince the company to get a better deal for them as it was close to the Rugby world cup hmmmm) so RMT walked away as well.

I dont actually call your lot a sister union after all the cosy little deals they have done to shaft other grades, i have been personally affected by deals agreed by your union even though they didnt represent me or my grade!

has anyone got any popcorn!? i could sit back and watch this rumble in the jungle all day long lol

 

[A-driver]

So you dont really know, but still like to get in a sarcastic comment. My god if i made such a comment about our supposed sister union i would be put to the lions.

I appreciate you have been personally affected by a dispute in which Aslef may have gone against your job/grade however Aslef are paid by their members to et THEM the best deal. It's up to the RMT to have their own fight. I don't know the ins and outs of the LO dispute in terms of Aslef vs RMT and am not tying to say "tough luck, it's dog eat dog" etc but you can't expect Aslef to look out for people who are not their members.

The reason guards were let go on LO wasn't ASLEFs fault. They may not have helped matters for you but a unions one and only job is to protect ITS members, not those of its sister unions.

 

[313103]

The reason guards were let go on LO wasn't ASLEFs fault. They may not have helped matters for you but a unions one and only job is to protect ITS members, not those of its sister unions.

In 1997 ASLEF made an agreement with the now erstwhile Silverlink Train Operating company that Driver Only Operation was the agreed method of operation, so that would mean if the company wanted DOO ASLEF would not stand in there way. In return the company agreed to Aslefs demands for a higher salary and acceptance of DRI. At this time only one line was operating DOO (Euston to Watford). So i read this as not really securing and protecting its own members (They were never under any threat of losing there jobs or getting a reduction in pay, they were getting paid a little bit extra to do someone else's job as a bonus). If that is not Aslef's fault, then i am at lost as to whose fault it is.

Aslef or at least the reps of Aslef at the time could quite easily have said to me (as a Guards Company Council Rep at the time) that they have agreed to accept DOO for future reference, rather then hold onto that knowledge for some 15 years and then say sorry we cant do anything as agreed this in 1997 and say this to me in 2013!.

I dont expect any other union to help other unions, what i would of liked is some transparency, If i was told that Aslef had made an agreement to have doo as the agreed method of working, i could of quite easily looked for work at my leisure, rather then have to make rash decisions as they was only 3 month window of opportunity.

I would like to think that if i had the time to look for another job rather then have it forced i might be in a better place now.

 

[455driver]

1997 was a very long time ago and ASLEF are supporting the RMT in the current DOO/DCO dispute on FGW/GWR!

I reckon they realised their mistake back then and wont be repeating it any time soon!

 

[Domh245]

1997 was a very long time ago...

I feel old now

 

[Dieseldriver]

I appreciate you have been personally affected by a dispute in which Aslef may have gone against your job/grade however Aslef are paid by their members to et THEM the best deal. It's up to the RMT to have their own fight. I don't know the ins and outs of the LO dispute in terms of Aslef vs RMT and am not tying to say "tough luck, it's dog eat dog" etc but you can't expect Aslef to look out for people who are not their members.

The reason guards were let go on LO wasn't ASLEFs fault. They may not have helped matters for you but a unions one and only job is to protect ITS members, not those of its sister unions.

As an ASLEF member and train driver, I would not consider DOO as being the best deal for me...

 

[PHILIPE]

Further strike dates have now been announced for 12th and 13th November. ATW have stated there is very little disagreement between the parties following talks. Talks are still ongoing.

 

[TDK]

I dont actually call your lot a sister union after all the cosy little deals they have done to shaft other grades, i have been personally affected by deals agreed by your union even though they didnt represent me or my grade!

All the deals, well most of the deals including DRI and DOO were voted in by drivers using a ballot. I agree, drivers in the past have been greedy especially with the voting in of DOO and the structured pay for trainees but you offer drivers money and unfortunately the majority vote "yes" me being one that voted "NO" for the pay structure differential between trainees (PQD) and qualified drivers.

 

[PHILIPE]

This action involves drivers from both ASLEF and RMT. The latest news is that a revised offer will be put to the unions on Tuesday, 10th which is the earliest that everybody can get together.

 

[trainophile]

I have a ticket on ATW for Thurs 12th. If on Tuesday the verdict is that the strike goes ahead, what's the chances of being allowed to use my ticket to travel on Weds 11th instead?

Are other operators as well as ATW likely to be striking too? If not, I can possibly book another ticket for a different route for 12th, not involving ATW.

By the time they have decided on Tues whether or not it's going ahead, it'll be almost too late to get a reasonably priced Advance for Weds.

Sorry to grumble, but from a passenger's perspective these strikes are the pits. I'm sure the drivers have cause for complaint, but there must be another way.

 

[red2005]

I have a ticket on ATW for Thurs 12th. If on Tuesday the verdict is that the strike goes ahead, what's the chances of being allowed to use my ticket to travel on Weds 11th instead?

Are other operators as well as ATW likely to be striking too? If not, I can possibly book another ticket for a different route for 12th, not involving ATW.

By the time they have decided on Tues whether or not it's going ahead, it'll be almost too late to get a reasonably priced Advance for Weds.

Sorry to grumble, but from a passenger's perspective these strikes are the pits. I'm sure the drivers have cause for complaint, but there must be another way.

if there was I'm sure they would of found it by now.....contrary to what seems to be popular belief this is a last resort.

 

[A-driver]

I have a ticket on ATW for Thurs 12th. If on Tuesday the verdict is that the strike goes ahead, what's the chances of being allowed to use my ticket to travel on Weds 11th instead?



Are other operators as well as ATW likely to be striking too? If not, I can possibly book another ticket for a different route for 12th, not involving ATW.



By the time they have decided on Tues whether or not it's going ahead, it'll be almost too late to get a reasonably priced Advance for Weds.



Sorry to grumble, but from a passenger's perspective these strikes are the pits. I'm sure the drivers have cause for complaint, but there must be another way.

I doubt many of the drivers are particularly keen on loosing a day or mores pay by standing in the car park-They are not doing it to muck up your plans. They have tried all other forms of negotiation and got nowhere. When such a high percentage of the workforce returns their ballot and votes yes to strike it is a real last resort. None of them will want to walk out the door and face the bad press and loss of pay but the only other option is to lay down and allow management to walk all over them. I realise this is what most other sectors work forces have done recently but the staff involved here still wish to keep some kind of bargaining power.

 

[trainophile]

I doubt many of the drivers are particularly keen on loosing a day or mores pay by standing in the car park-They are not doing it to muck up your plans. They have tried all other forms of negotiation and got nowhere. When such a high percentage of the workforce returns their ballot and votes yes to strike it is a real last resort. None of them will want to walk out the door and face the bad press and loss of pay but the only other option is to lay down and allow management to walk all over them. I realise this is what most other sectors work forces have done recently but the staff involved here still wish to keep some kind of bargaining power.

Fair enough, and I didn't mean to imply that the drivers were considering striking just for the fun of it. It's an unenviable job at the best of times, and if they are not being treated fairly then obviously they have to do whatever it takes to get their discontent taken seriously.

Can anyone answer my other questions, from historical practice perhaps, i.e. if a strike is called will this affect all ASLEF and RMT drivers, or just those who work for ATW; and also what's the likelihood of people affected by the strike (if it goes ahead) being permitted to travel on one of the adjacent non-strike days without buying another ticket?

 

[A-driver]

Fair enough, and I didn't mean to imply that the drivers were considering striking just for the fun of it. It's an unenviable job at the best of times, and if they are not being treated fairly then obviously they have to do whatever it takes to get their discontent taken seriously.



Can anyone answer my other questions, from historical practice perhaps, i.e. if a strike is called will this affect all ASLEF and RMT drivers, or just those who work for ATW; and also what's the likelihood of people affected by the strike (if it goes ahead) being permitted to travel on one of the adjacent non-strike days without buying another ticket?

Aslef will only ballot staff at the company concerned. Therefore Aslef drivers for all other TOCs nationwide will be unaffected and continue working normally. So FGW and VT services (and any others which share the rails) will be able to run normally from a staffing point of view. Same with the RMT. If it's only Aslef taking action then RMT members should still be booking on normally. The ballot is for the specific unions members at a specific employer.

 

[trainophile]

Thank you A-driver. That's cleared that up.

Just one question remaining then - and I guess by its nature it's an unknown, until the decision has been made and the repercussions considered in detail.

 

[craigybagel]

ATW normally go lenient on ticket validity around disruption days. Keep an eye on the website and I'm sure they'll announce one way or another whether they will let people travel on different days or not.

 

[trainophile]

ATW normally go lenient on ticket validity around disruption days. Keep an eye on the website and I'm sure they'll announce one way or another whether they will let people travel on different days or not.

Thanks, let's hope it doesn't even come to that, but I always like to have a Plan B .

 

[atw driver]

Strike is on
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Aslef e.c met earlier and after consideration that the strike dates stand

 

[craigybagel]

http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/IndustrialAction2015/

Proposed Industrial Action Thursday 12 November - Friday 13 November

Driver union members have notified us of their intention to hold Industrial action. Industrial action will begin at 00:01 on Thursday 12th November and last for 48 hours until 23:59 on Friday 13th November. We are hopeful that an agreement can be reached to avoid the planned industrial action but in the event that it goes ahead, we would advise our customers to make alternative transport arrangements. Should the industrial action go ahead, no Arriva Trains Wales services will operate during the strike period and no replacement road transport will be provided.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused

What if I've already purchased my ticket?

Anytime, Off-Peak or Super-Off Peak tickets

Customers with these tickets will be able to use them on either Wednesday 11th or Saturday 14th November instead, subject to the same travel and time restrictions, this is limited to a selection of train operating companies only, listed below.

Advance tickets

Customers with Advance Purchase tickets will be able to use their tickets on either Wednesday 11th or Saturday 14th November instead, this is limited to a selection of train operating companies only, listed below. Customers must travel at the same time shown on the ticket wherever possible. Where there is no train running at the same time on the alternative day, the customer should travel at the closest possible time to that which is stated on the ticket.

Customers no longer wishing to travel and exchanges

Any customer who has purchased a ticket for travel on Thursday 12th or Friday 13th November who no longer wishes to travel is entitled to a full refund from the original retailer. The normal administration fee will not be charged by Arriva Trains Wales booking offices.

Customers may also exchange their tickets for an alternative date or ticket, subject to paying the difference in price if appropriate. Exchanges must take place prior to the date of travel on the purchased ticket. Again, no administration fee will be charged by Arriva Trains Wales booking offices in this circumstance.

Seat Reservations

Any customer choosing to travel on Wednesday 11th or Saturday 14th November instead will lose their seat reservation, but can change their reservations without penalty by speaking to the retailer.

Season tickets

Make sure to get in touch with the retailer who sold you your season ticket, they will be able to provide you with full information. For season tickets purchased from Arriva Trains Wales, please visit your local Arriva Trains Wales booking office.


The following Train operating companies will accept tickets on Wednesday 11th and Saturday 14th November.
Greater Anglia
Chiltern
CrossCountry
First Trans Pennine Express
London Midland
Merseyrail
Northern
Scotrail
Virgin Trains West Coast
Virgin Trains East Coast
No replacement road transport is scheduled to run.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Well, this latest information sees the ATW Club 55 leaflet screwed up and thrown in the bin.