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SWR: Guards/RMT Industrial Action. Next strike dates: 30/31 August, 1/2 September 2019

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Robertj21a

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I wouldn't be keen on catch a bus where there was a chance I'd get left behind, especially if buses were not so frequent.

Obviously occasional disruption aside.

You can never guarantee that you'll get on a bus as you don't know how many others might turn up before you - but the same goes for busy trains.
 
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Dougal2345

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You can never guarantee that you'll get on a bus as you don't know how many others might turn up before you - but the same goes for busy trains.
But with a bus where you board at the front, the driver might well say "no, we're full" and that's the end of the matter - but with a train, if you're determined to wedge yourself in, there are plenty of doors to try, and no-one in authority will stop you...

Anyway, what's the next step for the RMT now, more ballots, more strikes? Are we safe from disruption until after Christmas now?
 

3141

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Anyway, what's the next step for the RMT now, more ballots, more strikes? Are we safe from disruption until after Christmas now?

If I was a guard I wouldn't be looking forward to losing any more pay in the run-up to Christmas, in the weeks afterwards either. Perhaps Mick Cash understands that.
 

infobleep

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Could you be so kind as to expand on these partiqular GWR journeys, what was the formation of the trains, and where did you board and alight.
Sure. It was the 16:06 last Sunday (25 November) from Bath. The reservation system also wasn't working.

I then boarded the 17:18 Reading to Gatwick Airport service, which left a minute late.
 

infobleep

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You can never guarantee that you'll get on a bus as you don't know how many others might turn up before you - but the same goes for busy trains.
If your travelling from Central London and if you go to a train station then the chances are you will be able to board a train as, disruption aside, there should be space on board one, as it starts in London. It may be different for the through trains but there should be plenty of those. Obviously they might not all go to you intended destination.
 

nuts & bolts

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Sure. It was the 16:06 last Sunday (25 November) from Bath. The reservation system also wasn't working.

I then boarded the 17:18 Reading to Gatwick Airport service, which left a minute late.

As you stated your first train was busy, but the train mgr or guard could have been busy and maybe positioned to assist with ramp or other customer service enquires including tickets.
 

infobleep

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As you stated your first train was busy, but the train mgr or guard could have been busy and maybe positioned to assist with ramp or other customer service enquires including tickets.
Yes they could be hence why they didn't come down. But even if they were not I don't t hunk it would have been easy for them to be t through the crowds.

However even if it is, does that mean I want to get rid of them? No it doesn't.
 

Kite159

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I've heard on the radio that the next batch of strike days have been announced starting from the 22nd December. Didn't hear any more dates mentioned as the news went onto another topic
 

Mag_seven

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I've heard on the radio that the next batch of strike days have been announced starting from the 22nd December. Didn't hear any more dates mentioned as the news went onto another topic

The RMT have announced just one strike day, Saturday 22nd December.

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-confirms-new-strike-action-on-south-western-railway/

RMT members on South Western Railway working as Commercial Guards, Guards and Train Drivers are instructed to not to book on for any shifts that commence between:-

0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Saturday 22nd December 2018

The last Saturday before Christmas is of course a very popular day for travel - Happy Christmas from the RMT.
 

3141

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Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! "There's a simple solution to ‎this dispute and it means SWR stop playing with words" - exactly what the RMT is doing in this press release. But it's largely futile, since most people don't read press releases.
 

infobleep

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Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! "There's a simple solution to ‎this dispute and it means SWR stop playing with words" - exactly what the RMT is doing in this press release. But it's largely futile, since most people don't read press releases.
Both sides need to stop playing with words and speak the truth and not only the truth but to give the right prominence to the various parts of th r dispute, rather than burying the bits they'd rather people didn't read.
 

infobleep

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I was hoping for a strike between Christmas and the new year, when the engineering works are going on.
 

bb21

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I was hoping for a strike between Christmas and the new year, when the engineering works are going on.

I didn't know anyone were so enthusiastic about them to "hope" that one takes place. ;)
 

infobleep

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I didn't know anyone were so enthusiastic about them to "hope" that one takes place. ;)
Well obviously I'd rather guards were left to be on trains and they didn't strike but seeing as they went to run trains during disruption without guards and the RMT are thus striking, I'd like to have some variety of days upon which they strike.
 

Kite159

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I'm surprised they didn't announce a strike on the Friday before Christmas (21st), only so the guards didn't have to work some of the late night services full of merry drunks heading home after finishing work for the year
 

Starmill

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I'm surprised they didn't announce a strike on the Friday before Christmas (21st), only so the guards didn't have to work some of the late night services full of merry drunks heading home after finishing work for the year
Maybe they didn't want to inconvenience those of us going to the RailUK Forums Christmas Meal in London? ;)
 

Carlisle

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Gaining major concessions in one DOO dispute has always been followed by increased strike days being called in the others shortly afterwards, however it may be pure coincidence :s
 
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Helvellyn

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I notice RMT is talking about security guards on trains and how SWR are endangering passenger safety. This is a slightly odd change of tone from the safety from operational competence. Conflict awareness training has always been to avoid putting yourself in danger - RMT could make some in the public think it is a Guard's job to physically intervene in disputes when it is anything but.
 

Antman

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Ruining the last trains home out of London on the Friday night and hurting people travelling home for Christmas. So basically, what will happen is ever more people find an alternative (driving), decide it's not too bad and stick with it. The passengers won't forget having their break ruined. Let's hope the RMT remember this when they have even less public support. And passenger numbers drop even more on SWR. Then again, it is clear the RMT doesn't care what the public thinks; we are just a hindrance to them as much as a weapon to use.

(I will probably Uber it.... so indirectly the RMT is assisting to kill off that other bastion of democracy and populist support, the licensed Taxi Drivers' Association.... (they are busy killing themselves in London by the insane pricing and closed shop mentality))
 

Robertj21a

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Ruining the last trains home out of London on the Friday night and hurting people travelling home for Christmas. So basically, what will happen is ever more people find an alternative (driving), decide it's not too bad and stick with it. The passengers won't forget having their break ruined. Let's hope the RMT remember this when they have even less public support. And passenger numbers drop even more on SWR. Then again, it is clear the RMT doesn't care what the public thinks; we are just a hindrance to them as much as a weapon to use.

(I will probably Uber it.... so indirectly the RMT is assisting to kill off that other bastion of democracy and populist support, the licensed Taxi Drivers' Association.... (they are busy killing themselves in London by the insane pricing and closed shop mentality))


You make it sound as if that's something new !. I don't recall the RMT ever showing any real concern for the passengers.
 
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