Simple, you talk and discuss things through before you ever reach strike action. This has been ongoing for years and multiple avenues have been taken, they've all led to this place.
Yes it is still running but be aware the next service after is at 1847.Im booked on the 1547 EMT from Nottingham to Stockport ?Is this running ?
From what’s been written on here, it appears there’s a belief that as things currently stand, the technicalities of the TUPE system could result in a less favourable outcome for these grievances with the new employerFair enough. So it's pure coincidence that the culmination of all those talks happens to be just before the current franchise ends ?
Even this doesn't make sense based on past actions of the RMT. In any other franchise the RMT would not have allowed these problems to drag on so long without a strike as to have to have a rushed job agreeing better wages TOC or whatever it is they are wanting. Also why don't EMT agree to the demands. They will be handing the next company with the problem anyway if there is a cost involved.From what’s been written on here, it appears there’s a belief that as things currently stand, the technicalities of the TUPE system could result in a less favourable outcome for these grievances with the new employer
Even this doesn't make sense based on past actions of the RMT. In any other franchise the RMT would not have allowed these problems to drag on so long without a strike as to have to have a rushed job agreeing better wages TOC or whatever it is they are wanting. Also why don't EMT agree to the demands. They will be handing the next company with the problem anyway if there is a cost involved.
So far I’ve only noticed posters & leaflets supporting Mick Cash, is there anyone else in with a serious chance?Could it also have anything to do with the current leadership contest in the RMT?
So can somebody confirm that some of the Senior Conductors currently have to work more ‘basic’ hours in a week than others? For the same pay?
SC guards are ex Central trains staff, when EMT was formed in 2007 - Central staff had a 12 month training or reduced salary, this was voted on and agreed years and years ago during a pay deal. Better % increase, but basically screw the be boys over to put it bluntly. London Midland formerly Silverlink had the same during a pay deal in the late 2000s, prior it was full pay at passing out.
So RMT want to go back on an agreement they signed many years ago - although to be fair a split of Central Trains back in the late 90s wasn’t thought about so you couldn’t foresee where we are today.
That’s the pay issue I suspect anyway, maybe they also want pay equalisation with former Midland Mainline staff who are graded as Train Managers - another messy historical agreement from the late 90s, XC, GWR also have this but at those operations movement from SC to TM is seen and treated by the company as promotion which maintains the pay gap which stands at some £5000ish at GWR at least.
The talks were put in for the 26th after the strike dates were announced. Why should the strikes be delayed when the company side have had years to resolve the issues that they have known all about? Why should we wait longer to ensure our colleagues are paid the same wage as the rest of us?Why did the strikes have to start today ?
The RMT say that they attempted an 11th hour meeting with EMT but their management weren't available until after the strike (they're actually back next week, I understand). Given that many people have found this strike to be rather sudden, why couldn't the RMT have started the strikes next week ?. If they wanted an 11th hour meeting they could have still had one just by delaying the start.
The talks were put in for the 26th after the strike dates were announced. Why should the strikes be delayed when the company side have had years to resolve the issues that they have known all about? Why should we wait longer to ensure our colleagues are paid the same wage as the rest of us?
As has been said multiple times, it isn't sudden, the last time we attempted to resolve it was in November when a load of documentation was provided, it took almost 6 months to get a response. We haven't kicked the can down the road.I just thought that it would be sensible to delay it by just one week if the RMT genuinely wanted an 11th hour meeting. If it's taken 'years to resolve' then what difference does one week make ?
What has brought this to a seemingly rather sudden head to warrant strike action now ?
As has been said multiple times, it isn't sudden, the last time we attempted to resolve it was in November when a load of documentation was provided, it took almost 6 months to get a response. We haven't kicked the can down the road.
I guess it has much to do with preventing management using stalling techniques to try and delay things forever.Fair enough but, personally, it still seems rather an odd timing to me.
But if you consider the wider context, the lack of a response isn't really that surprising. EMT has been through an almost constant cycle of short-term Direct Awards in the last couple of years. They do not just happen but are onerous in terms of management time to prepare, negotiate and implement. Likewise, they have been in end of franchise mode since the Abellio award was made; again this takes a lot of time and effort on the part of management.As has been said multiple times, it isn't sudden, the last time we attempted to resolve it was in November when a load of documentation was provided, it took almost 6 months to get a response. We haven't kicked the can down the road.
Yes it is still running but be aware the next service after is at 1847.
The times have now been amended in real time trains to show what will be running on Saturday.
Yep managed to get that service , 4 car 158 . Guard was wearing a shirt looked more senior mangement , no ticket check . Same on Skeggy to Nottingham 153 , no ticket check , senior guard .
The only interaction with the staff member on board on the Skeggy train I boarded on Saturday, was to ensure those getting off at short stations were in the front section of the train.
Very few if any conductors worked any trains on Saturday, they were all managers as far as I know and they don't bother to train them on revenue duties. Middle single figures non union guards crossed the picket lines but I don't think with possibly one exception that they worked any trains. The strike was very well supported.
On Skyggy HSTs it is more likely an RPI doing revenue.Yep i thought that . Only on the skeggy HST there was a ticket check . She was not doing the doors , a guy was , he looked more like an engineer
Was that HSTS?