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Scotrail - RMT Strike Ballot
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michael769
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Scotrail will be releasing strike day train service information early next week.
I understand that the expectation is that an effective service will be in operation on many routes.
I understand that the expectation is that an effective service will be in operation on many routes.
And why would that be!? If it wasn't for the unions these big transport companies would get away with more than they already do. My personal experience with one of the big five who just happens to be in second place against First is not exactly a good one!
The customer always comes first is all good and well, but unfortunately the general public know this and will "spice up" a complaint against an employee, just because they did there job correctly because the customer did not get his/her way.
This has now culminated in strike action against First who among others do not support their staff at all. The statement First released proved this, and I quote "this is just an attempt for the staff to get the day off". When I read that I nearly hit the roof. I think First abused their position in releasing a statement that's purely provocation!
I hope I'm not the only one that fully supports the drastic actions taken to put across how flawed the disciplinary guidelines are. Its about time a union put their foot down on these big companies who are scared of being sued even though the alleged victim has not exactly been upfront on what really happened!
There must have been disciplinary hearings, and RMT must surely have been present at some of them, and I would have thought they would also have had legal representation.
That they have not gone to court, but instead are relying on industrial action, suggests that legally they do not have a strong case.
Despite this I can see no benefit in FSR issuing inflammatory statements. They should be doing their utmost to solve this around the negotiating table.
That they have not gone to court, but instead are relying on industrial action, suggests that legally they do not have a strong case.
Despite this I can see no benefit in FSR issuing inflammatory statements. They should be doing their utmost to solve this around the negotiating table.
cjp
Member
I support what you have written.
It is what freedom is about.
The facts may make you seem foolish but not to support your collegues in these circumstance is to lead to erosion of strengths, freedoms and the further dominance of the many by the few.
I am neither a union member nor will I be affected by the strike.
Would you go against the might of First's empire? First will know all the legal loopholes when it comes to employment law, no matter how small this is. Unfortunately the general public have more legal rights than First's employees. And being such a huge company they will be able to bend the rules and hide it!
I was sacked from Stagecoach for sticking up for my rights, yesterday I learnt the very person who lied in his statement (an employee) about my conduct had been caught fiddling from the drivers benefit funds, as this was gross misconduct he was dismissed, but on appeal got his job back, albeit he was demoted to a driving position but due to the nature of this case he should have been sacked after all avenues had been exhausted. There is a expression used in companies like this. If the face fits!
One rule for one and several rules for others!
kylemore
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Well surely you should be aiming at your employer's revenue - that's the only thing that hurts them. You should have started off with Sat 22nd and Sun 23rd. The Strathclyde trains in particular will be awash with punters doing last minute shopping, the vast majority cash customers not season ticket holders!
If you then had said that you would avoid the 24th so that people would not be put in a position of alarm about whether they'll get home for xmas then you might have carried the punters (including this one) with you or at least giving you the benefit of the doubt until more facts about the case are known.
This sort of thing is getting out of hand, the RMT are an extrememly militant union that seems not to serve the interests of its members .An item on the BBC site stated that Mr Crow was training hundreds of militant shop stewards ,probably to serve his strange political ideas.Steps should be taken to limit action that is voted for by a minority.I have been in several unions and always found a few militants always wanted to cause trouble.Railways should be treated as an essential service and strikes outlawed ,sitting down to talk is a far better way to resolve issues.
That would work if management were prepared to sit down and talk.
At my TOC there have been a few BBQ Sundays-where all drivers make thenselves unavaliable for a Sunday so nothing can run. This isn't official union action, done by word of mouth but always to get management to speak to us. Management will keep promising meetings to sort things out then cancel at the last minute or just nod along saying 'we will look into that' and nothing happens. When too many issues go unresolved the union try to get management talking to them. When they continually refuse some action is needed or else nothing will change. Often just the threat of the BBQ day (when they start seeing the number of names on the 'unavaliable' sheet) will get them to attend a meeting with the unions.
The unions are not as bad as the press make out-the problem is that relations between management and workers in the railway are at rock bottom and sitting down to talk seriously with senior managment is a fantasy on the railway!
ANorthernGuard
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Are you really that naive to believe half the stuff that any government dishes out through the media? If you want to be a puppet for the multinationals go ahead.....I have more respect for myself and my colleagues. oh btw a few "militants" didn't vote for the strike Two Thirds of the people who voted did, more than just one or two of your so called militants...ridiculous
Captain Chaos
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If we are going to say that the vote isn't valid then neither is the recently elected PCC's who gained power with less than 10% of votes being cast.
It's interesting that when it's a Union issue the Government are all over the vote % and claim it's unfair but when the recent PCC vote was done with even LESS than what normally gets cast in a Union ballot it was all fine and legal etc.
If we are willing to accept the PCC vote as legal then complaining about Union votes is daft and pointless. The turnout is miles higher!
It's interesting that when it's a Union issue the Government are all over the vote % and claim it's unfair but when the recent PCC vote was done with even LESS than what normally gets cast in a Union ballot it was all fine and legal etc.
If we are willing to accept the PCC vote as legal then complaining about Union votes is daft and pointless. The turnout is miles higher!
transmanche
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Well, FWIW, I don't view the PCC elections as legitimate. There was no option to vote for the status quo; for those who were happy with the previous system abstention was the only option.
(Or spoiling the ballot paper/casting a blank ballot - but neither of those are included in the turnout figures.)
Anyway, getting back to the topic (almost). If Mr Crow didn't come across as a character from the 1960s/1970s sitcom 'The Rag Trade', then the travelling public might be more supportive. But the impression we get is that it's "Everybody out!" for the slightest problem.
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The reason Bob Crow is training shop stewards to be more forthright is because transport managers are getting away with murder when it comes to employment law. Although staff have been vindicated, they still get a warning for some stupid petty thing that does not even merit a visit to the office.
I know cause its happened to me!
michael769
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Latest info from Scotrail is that they are expecting to be able run an effective service on most routes in the Central belt.
They are also hoping to run the sleepers with a reduced onboard service. Replacement buses will be provided for the sleepers if they end up not being able to run.
They are also hoping to run the sleepers with a reduced onboard service. Replacement buses will be provided for the sleepers if they end up not being able to run.
Yes. I once was quite prepared to do this, but the threat never materialised. It isn't at all sensible to go to law when you have a losing hand, as the DfT recently found out. First know that.
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Those elections were a complete waste of time and money. Are you comparing the RMT strike vote to those?
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Hmm, London to Aberdeen by coach, no thanks!
michael769
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20729827
Scotrail and the RMT have agreed to have talks over the issue tomorrow.
Scotrail and the RMT have agreed to have talks over the issue tomorrow.
Smudger105e
Member
It seems A-driver was right. Management will talk to the TU's when they are forced to.
CarterUSM
Established Member
It'll be interesting to see what they have to say. I know quite a bit about this situation and feel it is absolutely worth having balloted for. Hopefully it will not go as far as striking on the day's quoted.
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Unfortunately, that seems to be all to true. Opposing forces all the time.Loco Fitter:1299294 said:
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Sadsmileyface
Member
Scotrail ran a 95% service in 2010 and that was over an issue that RMT members were actually bothered about, so I don't expect this one to be any bigger than that.
Smudger105e
Member
Is the implication of this comment that RMT Members are not bothered about this issue?
Sadsmileyface
Member
Yes. Yes it is.
Smudger105e
Member
Just seems strange that you have drawn that conclusion, when the RMT ballot showed in favour of industrial action.
Surely, if they were not bothered, then the ballot would not have been in favour of a strike?
Surely, if they were not bothered, then the ballot would not have been in favour of a strike?
Sadsmileyface
Member
I would point to the low turn out as evidence of either apathy or disagreement.
I would even go so far as to suggest that the Yes vote was successful because those who are more inclined to respond to ballets are those who are predisposed to industrial action anyway, through general disaffection etc.
I would even go so far as to suggest that the Yes vote was successful because those who are more inclined to respond to ballets are those who are predisposed to industrial action anyway, through general disaffection etc.
Smudger105e
Member
You are, of course, entitled to your opinion.
I am also entitled to disagree with the conclusions you draw.
I am also entitled to disagree with the conclusions you draw.
But in 2010 it was only guards on strike, this is a full RMT walkout so yes it differs!
A service will still run as management/office/agency are all currently being. Breifed and trained but not close to 95%
PaxVobiscum
Established Member
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
First time I've heard the term of "sister" mentioned which is only logical if we refer to male union members as "brothers".
Hi, thanks for the reply, and for not going off on a big one. The conclusion of honesty is really quite straight forward, the RMT had said they hadn't seen CCTV footage, when in actual fact they had. This is their own wording and as such proves dishonesty. As for the TOC, only an opinion, but I just can't see their version being entirely straight, as I said, this just doesn't sit right. In every industry, social networking is looked more closely, not always for what is written about the employers but also to ensure nothing reflects on the individual. I would suggest "tasteless" could be viewed as reflecting on the individual as not being the right sort of character to be in such a service. Would you say it is OK to post racist jokes? I wouldn't, and I would sack somebody extremely quickly for this. However, disciplinary procedures are there to protect the company, it would be ridiculous for them to be there solely for the benefit of the employee, although they are frequently used to protect colleagues form the actions of colleagues.
We will not agree on Bob Crow, whether or not you agree with my statement, i witnessed him and I will absolutely stand by my statement that he is an odious man, he is a self-publicist who I doubt has only the interests of union members at heart.
Am I anti-strike? Yes, nobody wins from striking, it places people in a position (such as this) where anger from the public is often aimed at them, which is indefencable but almost understandable.
You are entirely wrong about strikes not being designed to cause maximum disruption to the travelling public, of course it is! It is they who want to travel in large numbers, the managers will have a difficult time of it, but the public will miss meeting family at a very family orientated time of year. That is why it is a cynical ploy by the RMT. Managers get Christmas Eve off because that is in their contract, we all know what our contracts expect of us and to complain about other peoples contracts is just plain silly.
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