Search results

These political agendas are shameful. Like certain execs being involved in "independent" safety bodies AND running TOCs that are deliberately reducing safer working to save money. Or the government quietly allowing them to run a worse service without penalty whilst getting them to steamroller...

Don't think it makes any difference. Railways always come way down the list after tax house prices health education defence etc at election time. If they had been more politically sensitive successive governments wouldn't have mucked around with them or neglected them in the way they have done...

If you'd seen as many strangled communications from Southern as I have then you would be less quick to attack the RMT, believe me.

Perhaps because when you are dealing with a new right government and a firm that treats its employees as Southern has done so, such phrases are still valid? How about tipping things on their head and examining the usual tired phrases that come from that other side of the dispute that refuse...

I think many of you overestimate the power of trades unions to change things. Much of the collaboration between Union and company is to the company's advantage, eg, collective bargaining. But essentially they are there to represent and defend their members as and when that help is needed...

The 377s have cameras to be used under DOO and guard panels for guard working. The presence of one or the other does not automatically mean a particular way of working is intended or inevitable. When with a guard the monitors can be switched off. We are all now between a rock and a hard place...

That's a nonsense point I'm afraid. The 377s came in 3 and 4 car lengths and came with body side cameras. They did not come in 12 car lengths. They are only 12 car DOO if one chooses to configure 3 x 4 or 4 x 3 trains and DECIDES to run them without a guard. Just because there is the potential...

Hmm but strictly speaking having no staff is inherently discriminating to those who need assistance because it is favouring those who don't need help over those who do.

I suspect the RSSB hasn't been in the drivers cab looking at a murky sun bleached CCTV picture trying to work out if that person there is getting on, or waiting for the next one but is so close to the train that it's not clear whether it's safe to close the doors or now whether there's a clear...

A maximum number of dispatches a day? How about the most appropriate dispatch for the circumstances instead of a one size fits all? Again you are ignoring the fact that using monitors or mirrors gives a worse view than a guard on the platform! So me doing it is a bigger risk than a guard...

But we have banisters and handrails and avoid loose carpets and shiny surfaces on stairs to mitigate against this. And potentially sanctions against those who neglect to take those precautions if they are asking others to use the stairs. What we have with DOO is a deliberate reduction in the...

Because ASLEF had agreed DOO for Thameslink drivers in such a way that made it difficult to refuse the extension of this procedure. Thameslink was DOO from the start at a time when DOO was seen as the way forward for many reasons. But times change and it's not as appropriate now. There was also...

Don't worry, you'll be getting longer dwell times soon. When I'm DOO in the peaks, with my comparatively poor view, I take much longer than my guard does, playing "jingle bells" to use your insulting term, to dispatch my train. Especially as mine are a bit longer than five cars.

ASLEF are in a difficult position having agreed DOO previously to now argue that it is dangerous. Especially as no one appears to be willing to accept that the environment has changed on the railway in the interim to increase the risks involved. Therefore they are forced to argue this in other...

I think looking at the passengers versus knowing the presence of a guard reduces their personal liability massively might sharpen the mind.

What about the train cancelled due to the in cab monitors being out of service or heavily delayed, run fast or cancelled due to massive delay caused by the driver having to halt the train to investigate a smoke alarm or pass comm operated?

Please read what Darlo Rich posted earlier. It doesn't matter what was agreed 30 years ago. How many from then are even left? The circumstances under which drivers work have changed, so why shouldn't our working methods change accordingly. There are more trains, trains are longer, there are more...

But Southern drivers DIDN'T agree, FCC drivers did. It doesn't matter that they merged and work for the same firm. There was no choice in the matter for either party. And there has been no attempt to harmonise the terms of employment which are arguably better on the Thameslink/Great Northern...

Absolutely. We are being left open to undue liability. --- old post above --- --- new post below --- I agree. Or better still a guard hanging out of a drop light with his finger on the stop bell!

I think that's irrelevant. Dispatch staff have been prosecuted and as that is increasingly going to be one and the same as the driver, it's a question of when it's our turn not if. If you read my reply to DarloRich about liability, you'll see what I mean. If you are spending your working day...