AlterEgo
Veteran Member
Sounds like a delicious stew of Nobody Knows Really What Happened.
Knowing the amount and vile nature of abuse consistently directed at the platform staff (and others, traincrew cop for it too) I would be very, very surprised if that account (if true) is actually what happened/caused the walkout.
Apparently it wasn't an 'assault' from someone who was there. Somewhat aggressive individual unhappy with the service. Staff, already frustrated with the chaos through Manchester on a daily basis, decided they had enough and temporarily downed tools. The aggressive passenger was the 'straw that broke the camel's back'. All very odd - and not fair on staff who are being put in difficult situations on a daily basis at Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly. Network Rail and the DfT have a lot to answer for.
Latest advice to passengers
“If you need help, please speak to a member of staff (if available)”
That’s now the advice greeting passengers on the departure display boards at Manchester Victoria.
The status of all services are now not being displayed
So again, the little digital cams some staff carry (police, traffic wardens etc) are perhaps a way forward.
I think you are mixing things up hereThere is no excuse for assault or abuse, it cannot be condoned. However, does it mean that all staff have to walk out? I am assuming that is what happened? All the public see are incompetent railway company management who seemingly cannot plan or execute any significant change successfully, staff that have contracts that do not represent reality e.g. Sunday not being a 'working' day and unions who 'seem' to take great pleasure in striking as much as possible due to spurious 'safety' issues which magically disappear when more money is offered. Looking in from the outside, there is no one who really comes out of this with any credit. Network Rail, TOCs, Unions, they are all rubbish and the public are the ones that suffer and the staff at the 'coalface' too, such as this incident. I appreciate that some of it is a 'perception' and everyone can probably point a finger at everyone else, but it really is a complete omni-shambles at the moment and no one seems to be able to do anything about it.
what about staff having small cameras like some police so their is evidence and pushing assaults through the courts) then this is one area where the union should be involved, rather than wasting time over issues like DOO.
Cameras don't stop you getting a kicking, they just show you getting a kicking.
If its not safe don't do it is the mantra railway staff stick to, so if they felt unsafe or threatened then they're entirely right to stop the job.
We’ve no true idea whether it was assault, verbal abuse from passenger to staff, or verbal abuse from staff to passenger that triggered this event. The delays and cancellations aren’t going to be sorted overnight so frustration will continue. Without a chain of evidence, of course the courts will do nothing. Shouting at someone isn’t a crime. By the time BTP get to the scene it will be too late to properly understand what has happened unless the there are reliable witnesses. So again, the little digital cams some staff carry (police, traffic wardens etc) are perhaps a way forward.
When was the last time you saw a sign like that in a fancy restaurant, say?
I've seen them in buses
doctors surgeries, dentists
primary school
takeaways and one of our local Indian restaurants
They aren't all telling you their service is bad.
There is no excuse for assault or abuse, it cannot be condoned. However, does it mean that all staff have to walk out? I am assuming that is what happened? All the public see are incompetent railway company management who seemingly cannot plan or execute any significant change successfully, staff that have contracts that do not represent reality e.g. Sunday not being a 'working' day and unions who 'seem' to take great pleasure in striking as much as possible due to spurious 'safety' issues which magically disappear when more money is offered. Looking in from the outside, there is no one who really comes out of this with any credit. Network Rail, TOCs, Unions, they are all rubbish and the public are the ones that suffer and the staff at the 'coalface' too, such as this incident. I appreciate that some of it is a 'perception' and everyone can probably point a finger at everyone else, but it really is a complete omni-shambles at the moment and no one seems to be able to do anything about it.
Maybe instead of shouting at staff passengers should look for themselves instead of expecting to be spoon fed.
And at the moment, I can totally empathise with someone who is upset because Northern are inept at operating anything even approximating to a train service. Perhaps the senior management should be manning the barriers for an hour a day, then they might get a clue just how bad it is?
I hope the staff involved in tonight's incident are OK. Does Victoria have any security guards on the platforms? Leeds gained them a few weeks ago, they seem to be contracted by Network Rail.
Let's not forget that railway staff shout at paying customers daily at Manchester Piccadilly P13/4.
Interestingly enough, I commented about last Friday's chaos in Victoria which was caused partly by a power failure at Salford Central.
There was quite clearly an unpleasant atmosphere in the whole station caused by the tension amongst frustrated passengers trying to get from A to B and station staff who clearly were running low on patience in a highly stressful environment.
The only facile post I see is yours.You’re everything that’s wrong with this country nowadays - summed up in one utterly facile post