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    ASLEF strikes 5th-8th April weekend

    Unwinnable at present, yes. Which is exactly why there is only 1 day of action every 2-3 months. Drivers are safe in the knowledge that a new more competent government will be along shortly, and large amounts of action before then are a waste of time. Oh and the pay rise we eventually achieve...
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    SWR Class 458 to be retained

    If true about the reintroduction on the Windsor side I can’t wait to see how they spin this, the same trains you’ve had for the last 25 years, but with 2 less carriages! :rolleyes:
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    Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

    I recall seeing an ASLEF newsletter from SWR in which it’s claimed they tried to push it through as a ‘conversion’ course, previously used for example to train a driver that signs 455 on 456s. The traction they were basing the conversion on was 450 (as every electric driver signs them) it seems...
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    Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

    They mattered to MTR, who seemed to naively think they could fix the awful pre covid performance with a handful of sticking plaster ideas that worked on the Hong Kong metro. I think they might’ve even adopted the Hong Kong industrial relations strategy too ;)
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    Aslef strikes and OT ban called…

    If an RMT duplicate offer is made to ASLEF, what will happen to the TOCs that have only joined the dispute this year? I believe c2c and SWR are only overdue pay rises from this year, so wouldn't benefit from the government settling last years pay deal. Would they remain in dispute on their own...
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    Possible Movement in RMT Dispute.

    Maybe the government wants to resolve the dispute so they can claim it’s all thanks to their amazing new anti strike laws. They might even be able to push through more cuts to human rights legislation off the back of the great success.
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    SWR Class 458 to be retained

    In their current state the 458s are probably just a few years behind the 455s in terms of needing to be gotten rid of, noticeably tired and shabby compared to the 450s & 707s they work alongside on the Windsor lines. If the decision is made to throw money at these trains to add another 10 years...
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    Aslef strike around Tory conference dates

    Attendees should take inspiration from the party leader, and book themselves a private helicopter, regardless of whether the trains are running.
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    SWR drivers to be balloted - ASLEF

    Industrial relations with SWR/SWT drivers have been good for many years, I don’t think there’s been a company wide dispute that has got anywhere close to a strike in the last 20 years. Due to the nature of collective bargaining there’s always an element of back & forth between the company &...
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    Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

    Its the last 6 months of that deal, so a new one will need to be agreed toward the start of 2023.
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    Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

    The nationwide breakdown in industrial relations ‘not the DfT’s problem’. Grant Shapps would‘ve peddled that to the general public but I’m sure First Group would laugh them out of the room.
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    Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

    The order was worth £900m if I remember right. Wimbledon depot certainly seems to be filling up with them, last week noticed 4 in the down shed alone, there had only been 1 or 2 in there before. Things must be very slowly moving in the right direction if SWR are continuing to allow their depots...
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    Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

    Noticed over the last few weeks the signs blocking doorways are no longer SWR branded but alstom instead. Not sure if it’s indicative of a step backwards I’m terms of acceptance into service, or just down to the fact the SWR ones were oversized/unreadable so more of a trip hazard than anything...
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    SWR Metro fleet permanent withdrawals

    That all sounds very over complicated, plus I'm sure the commuters on that line won’t be impressed at the extended journey or the drunken race goers. Surprised they haven’t ran the weybridges down to ascot and put a shuttle service on Virginia water - Weybridge, I think they might’ve done this...
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    Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

    If Alstom hadn’t acquired bombardier I really don’t think these Units would’ve ever been fit for service. They’ll get there but it’s an unenviable job having to take back and fix so many ‘completed’ units.
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    Are SWR commuter services to Waterloo quieter on Mondays?

    There’s been an nickname/acronym floating around for a few years to describe those who adopt the working pattern of… Tuesday Wednesday And Thursday So yes it’s definitely a recognised thing especially among commuters.
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    Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

    They could’ve given the front a quick clean :| Also surprised to see the GOP panel left wide open where someone from the RMT might see it. I thought contents were supposed to be secret, after all they still haven’t revealed how these trains will operate in regard to guards involvement.
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    SWR Class 458 to be retained

    They will probably want to add tray tables though, so might depend on whether they can still source replacement backs for these seats which incorporate them. Also arm rests would be nice to bring them up to 444 comfort level, there seems to be space on the existing seats. Only issue is the quite...
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    Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

    We might get a shiny new excuse for their lateness next month if the RMT ballot to strike goes through :lol:
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    RMT statement discussion.

    TOC staff worked their way through the entire pandemic, this wasn’t done as a favour to the staff, It was so essential travel could still happen. Sure some staff had the odd spare from home or an early finish, but an early finish last year is not going to help with the 40% increase on the gas...

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