RMT announce strike dates across range of TOCs and Network Rail

[Cletus]

Damn. Damn. Damn. Just when I am in Scotland And I am travelling from Glasgow to Dover on the 23rd

Let's hope some negotiations are taking place before then.

 

[HSTEd]

The strike timetables are pretty much finalised mostly. So definitely wont be released one day before.

If its a synchronised signalling and traincrew strike won't the timetable just be a blank piece of paper?

 

[Peregrine 4903]

No

 

[JonathanH]

If its a synchronised signalling and traincrew strike won't the timetable just be a blank piece of paper?

A limited level of service can operate with managers and non-union members.

 

[Starmill]

If its a synchronised signalling and traincrew strike won't the timetable just be a blank piece of paper?

No. Merseyrail, TfW, ScotRail etc are obliged to keep running wherever they have their booked route available.

Contingency staff are likely to be in place for a skeleton service of long-distance trains where routes are available for freight.

 

[ainsworth74]

I'm booked on the entire journey of the southbound Highland Chieftain on the 24th (Between strike days), 1st time I've ever booked first class as well.

Depending on the strike timetable but I'd be doubtful that would run as it requires getting a unit to Inverness the night before which is a strike day. So if the Cheiftain isn't part of LNERs strike timetable (and I suspect it won't be) then the one the next day can't run either.

 

[pemma]

I wish I could enjoy Wimbledon every year. I just can't afford it and can't get the time off work.

Most people can't afford Wimbledon. I'd only be able to afford train travel to London and hotels for a Wimbledon trip if I forgo an annual break abroad and then I'd still need to pay for the tickets for the tennis!

In a previous role I wasn't allowed to book time off in January or February because they were the busy months for the company. I then had to use any remaining annual leave in March because the holiday year started on 1st April. Point is in any role there's times you can't book off work. Even at companies with no specific date restrictions, they always limit the number of people allowed off on one day. Non-parents rarely get time off in school holidays, even if they want it.

Its frustrating that I can't commute using train travel because I often need to be there before start of service or leave work after all service finishes.

Catch22. If the service started earlier then train crews would also start earlier, unless you want self driving trains to get train crews to work.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

A limited level of service can operate with managers and non-union members.

Managers in Boxes yes and Managers on Trains and ahem "contingency" Conductors but Non Union Members still have the option of not crossing a picket line. Considering if rumours are correct TSSA are close to balloting and Aslef are also looking to ballot so could be a lot more than just RMT

 

[A0wen]

I fear this may become the equivalent of the Miners Strike as the Tories seek to show they are tough on a union 'holding the country to ransom'. They need something to present at the next election.
Of course the Tories will keep the few, fast intercity services they might use, but the rest of the network could be in severe danger. The losers will be those out-of-a-job and the traveling public whose options for rail journeys become much more limited.
I hope the union leadership has thought this through.

BIB - wow, I didn't know the use of certain trains depended on your political allegiances. One lives and learns.

 

[pemma]

No. Merseyrail, TfW, ScotRail etc are obliged to keep running wherever they have their booked route available.

Contingency staff are likely to be in place for a skeleton service of long-distance trains where routes are available for freight.

What happens if the usual route is closed but a suitable diversionary route is available?

Considering if rumours are correct TSSA are close to balloting and Aslef are also looking to ballot so could be a lot more than just RMT

Not for the first strike though. It's exactly 2 weeks today and unions need to give 2 weeks notice of the strike date.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

What happens if the usual route is closed but a suitable diversionary route is available?



Not for the first strike though. It's exactly 2 weeks today and unions need to give 2 weeks notice of the strike date.

Sorry didn't make that clear..in the near future...

 

[GordonT]

From the previous posts I assume the vast majority on here assume that it is a given that the strike will actually go ahead?

 

[Starmill]

What happens if the usual route is closed but a suitable diversionary route is available?



Not for the first strike though. It's exactly 2 weeks today and unions need to give 2 weeks notice of the strike date.

It's up to the TOC to decide if they can run on the diversionary route, depending on the resources available to them and the notice they receive.

 

[ainsworth74]

From the previous posts I assume the vast majority on here assume that it is a given that the strike will actually go ahead?

Can't see HM Treasury backing down and it doesn't sound like the RMT are likely to either so for my money absolutely.

Which is a pain as I'm now going to have to drive to the test match at Headingley rather than get the train. I'll either drive to work or work from home during the weekday strike days.

 

[matt_world2004]

Expect food shortages when freights can't run! Going to be carnage! Initial plan is to have freights run as priority traffic on them dates.

Would there be a need for the freight operators to be prioritized if there are no toc trains running anyway

 

[ComUtoR]

From the previous posts I assume the vast majority on here assume that it is a given that the strike will actually go ahead?

Can't see HM Treasury backing down

It's their choice to do this.

 

[duncanp]

Jeez, they would go and pick the Glastonbury festival week wouldn’t they.

The RMT have obviously been looking at the calendar to see which strike dates would cause the most inconvenience.

Services before and after the strike dates will be severely disrupted, so anyone trying to get to Glastonbury is completed "donald ducked" (rhyming slang)

I expect they will be looking at the calendar for July and August just in case more strikes are deemed necessary.

 

[gazr]

It's a shame people inherently only see the here and now and what affects them, and not the bigger picture. I fully understand cost of living is up, but I ask what will happen if RMT win a large pay rise for it's workers? Every other union will want the same, leading to everyone having more money to spend. This in turn will lead to companies charging more for everything, and even more inflation. Your pay rise will be eaten up and then some. Then what? This is political, in the middle of an election cycle. Nothing more, nothing less. My flame retardant suit is already on.

 

[james4578]

I wasn't for a second suggesting it was justified or desirable. I was just curious about the point in a previous post about it being an own goal and the optics of doing it.

yes, fair enough. In general both Management and Unions often will not always play their best cards.

 

[Whistler40145]

What is the situation on the days in between each Strike day?

 

[Mike395]

What is the situation on the days in between each Strike day?

Suspect this will vary wildly dependent on where you are. TOCs will be wanting to run a full timetable but this might be tricky with stock and staff displacement in some places.

 

[gazr]

The RMT have obviously been looking at the calendar to see which strike dates would cause the most inconvenience.

Services before and after the strike dates will be severely disrupted, so anyone trying to get to Glastonbury is completed "donald ducked" (rhyming slang)

I expect they will be looking at the calendar for July and August just in case more strikes are deemed necessary.

I'd wager good money that XR (not Crossrail) will be planning on making the most of this as well. Expect bedlam.

 

[Mak1981]

What sort of shift patterns do signallers work that might come in to play? Presumably a nightshift of 2200 to 0600 or even a 12 hr shift, so nothing moving till at least 0600 the next day?

 

[ComUtoR]

This in turn will lead to companies charging more for everything, and even more inflation. Your pay rise will be eaten up and then some. Then what?

You've convinced me. Nobody should have a pay rise for the next 5yrs so that inflation can drop back to 2%. Anyone who has already had a pay rise this year needs to give it back and next year we should all take pay cuts to help speed up the process. That way there is a lot less money going around and companies will reduce their prices.

 

[Agent_Squash]

It's a shame people inherently only see the here and now and what affects them, and not the bigger picture. I fully understand cost of living is up, but I ask what will happen if RMT win a large pay rise for it's workers? Every other union will want the same, leading to everyone having more money to spend. This in turn will lead to companies charging more for everything, and even more inflation. Your pay rise will be eaten up and then some. Then what? This is political, in the middle of an election cycle. Nothing more, nothing less. My flame retardant suit is already on.

This. At the same time as a government desperate for a win. Things will get a lot worse before they get better - and I genuinely fear for the railway's recovery.

 

[Leisurefirst]

In addition to the normal refund / exchange rights, it is overwhelmingly likely that a cash refund (i.e. refund by method of payment rather than vouchers) will be permitted for all ticket types on strike days, except perhaps season tickets, where special arrangements usually need to be made. Who knows what will happen in respect of season tickets this time, but Advance and other tickets are very likely to be refundable without penalty if you don't want to use them.

I have off-peak returns booked.
The outward is before the strikes.
The return is one of the strike days.
Would I get refunded for half the tickets or just the difference between singles and the off-peak returns?

 

[ainsworth74]

It's their choice to do this.

Yes? I don't think I suggested otherwise?

 

[Peregrine 4903]

No. Merseyrail, TfW, ScotRail etc are obliged to keep running wherever they have their booked route available.

Contingency staff are likely to be in place for a skeleton service of long-distance trains where routes are available for freight.

There will be a few more trains running than you are suggesting. Still not many though.

And tiocs like London Overground certainly aren't running a full service or anything near a full service.

 

[ComUtoR]

Yes? I don't think I suggested otherwise?

The DfT/Treasury/Gov can, at any time, put an end to this, just a much as the RMT can. Like you say, nobody wants to back down.

 

[pemma]

The RMT have obviously been looking at the calendar to see which strike dates would cause the most inconvenience.

Services before and after the strike dates will be severely disrupted, so anyone trying to get to Glastonbury is completed "donald ducked" (rhyming slang)

I expect they will be looking at the calendar for July and August just in case more strikes are deemed necessary.

I'm not sure. They'll be disrupting the first day of the Cheshire Show. But do the RMT office even realise that? If they want nationwide strikes in the summer, they'll be disrupting a lot of events, whether they intend to or not.

What sort of shift patterns do signallers work that might come in to play? Presumably a nightshift of 2200 to 0600 or even a 12 hr shift, so nothing moving till at least 0600 the next day?

Even routes that appear to be open for 24 hours can have long gaps between services overnight, so that may possibly allow one signaller to finish earlier than the next one starts.