RMT dispute on XC

[greyman42]

Thanks, that has put us all in the picture. I am surprised at the use of the word "scab" if this is a release intended for the public.

 

[Essan]

Why do the RMT yet again have to use provocative language ("wrecked" "sabotaged" and, indeed, "scab") - it does them no favours at all IMO. They really do need a better press officer if they want sympathy from the general public.

 

[1e10]

Why do the RMT yet again have to use provocative language ("wrecked" "sabotaged" and, indeed, "scab") - it does them no favours at all IMO. They really do need a better press officer if they want sympathy from the general public.

Indeed - it does them nor their members any justice.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

“It is disgraceful that the management at Arriva effectively sabotaged talks on Wednesday that were making progress towards a settlement to this dispute and were instead focussed on dishing out cash bungs to a dangerous scab army of under-cooked management recruits to try and break the action."

That is officially the most intellectually bankrupt piece of moronic crap that I've ever read in a railway press release. And I lived through John Prescott.

 

[Mag_seven]

“It is disgraceful that the management at Arriva effectively sabotaged talks on Wednesday that were making progress towards a settlement to this dispute and were instead focussed on dishing out cash bungs to a dangerous scab army of under-cooked management recruits to try and break the action."

That is officially the most intellectually bankrupt piece of moronic crap that I've ever read in a railway press release. And I lived through John Prescott.

The use of the term "Scab" is oh so 1970's. It should be as unacceptable to use that word now as it is to use, for example, racist terms that were also prevalent in that decade.

 

[SPADTrap]

The use of the term "Scab" is oh so 1970's. It should be as unacceptable to use that word now as it is to use, for example, racist terms that were also prevalent in that decade.

As far as I know it's something you'd walk the plank for if calling someone it. I am surprised and disappointed to see it in a press release which the public will read. It won't garner any support which we desperately need. It's absolutely correct what they're saying but why they use those words is a shame and fully undermining.

 

[Essan]

Who do these press releases actually go out to? Because I see the Daily Fail and The Sun making a great headline out of this! I rather get the impression that RMT press releases are for union members only and not public consumption ......

 

[Starmill]

If that were what they were, then they would not be from the RMT Press Office would they..?
They would be by members newsletter or internal email.

 

[Kite159]

One of these days the RMT press releases will cross the line and they will find themselves in court defending a Libel claim. I assume the press releases must go via their legal team to advise on any potentially statements which could end up in hot water.

How many more passengers will be put off travelling by rail due to the actions? I fear passenger growth has peaked and the railways will enter a state of decline [in terms of passenger numbers, like is already seen in the South East]

 

[tsr]

They would be by members newsletter or internal email.

I tell you what, if people think the press releases are bad, they should see the internal email...

 

[Starmill]

How many more passengers will be put off travelling by rail due to the actions? I fear passenger growth has peaked and the railways will enter a state of decline [in terms of passenger numbers, like is already seen in the South East]

I would agree that they are damaging the reputation of the railway industry, and decreasing the likelihood of a political settlement with their opprobrium. It has got so bad now that I would say they are also damaging the trade union movement and making it more likely that there will support for extra restrictions in future.

 

[185143]

I personally think that if the RMT are to expect public support in their 5 DOO disputes-getting involved in 3 seperate disputes over pay is VERY unwise indeed.

I've spoken to several people who've been against the Merseyrail strikes as 'they get paid enough already' but when they realise it's over a percieved threat to passenger safety-are in support of the strikes. My thoughts on DOO are fairly well known-and I fear the XC, VTEC and VTWC strikes could be quite damaging to the anti-DOO action across the country.

 

[AlterEgo]

17 November 2017

RMT Press Office:

management wreck talks.

abuse of rostering

scab army

luxury hotel accommodation thrown in.

strong-armed

bogus train managers

sabotaged talks on Wednesday

dishing out cash bungs

dangerous scab army of under-cooked management recruits

break the action.

“The action goes ahead and the disruption to services will be solely down to Arriva managements intransigence.”
ENDS

Full house, including the grammatical error in the last sentence.

 

[the sniper]

Who do these press releases actually go out to? Because I see the Daily Fail and The Sun making a great headline out of this! I rather get the impression that RMT press releases are for union members only and not public consumption ......

Surely they're mainly for the benefit of guys on here? You lot seem seem to be the only people who read them, and devour them you do!

 

[AlterEgo]

Surely they're mainly for the benefit of guys on here? You lot seem seem to be the only people who read them, and devour them you do!

No, they’re press releases. They’ll be sent to a list of interested journalists. They’re primarily for the press. That’s the definition of a press release. Of course, anyone can read it on the website, but the core purpose is to inform the story in the news and try and develop a narrative.

That’s why the RMT’s press team (I envisage a madman with a blindfold on, foaming at the mouth) are bonkers.

 

[greyman42]

I tell you what, if people think the press releases are bad, they should see the internal email...

Can you give some generic examples of the wording in these internal emails.

 

[SPADTrap]

Can you give some generic examples of the wording in these internal emails.

I'd guess the keywords is internal.

 

[greyman42]

I'll bet they are pretty tasty!

 

[SPADTrap]

I'll bet they are pretty tasty!

I wish they were more sensible

 

[D1009]

No, they’re press releases. They’ll be sent to a list of interested journalists. They’re primarily for the press. That’s the definition of a press release. Of course, anyone can read it on the website, but the core purpose is to inform the story in the news and try and develop a narrative.

That’s why the RMT’s press team (I envisage a madman with a blindfold on, foaming at the mouth) are bonkers.

If they are available on the RMT website, could you provide a link, as I failed to find any mention of them.

 

[Spankthemonkey]

If they are available on the RMT website, could you provide a link, as I failed to find any mention of them.

Most definitely on the rmt site under the news section mostly. Just read a few from the last few months. Had a few giggles. The language used is like something from the 1980's. My particular recent favourite is the reference to Richard Branson's luxuary island retreat, but the aggressive posturing and general use of anarchistic language makes me wonder sometimes if it's a delibate parody or satire. Someone else mentioned a blindfolded madman foaming at the mouth. I wonder if it's a very intelligent right of centre workplacement student doing a bit of sabotage.

 

[D1009]

Most definitely on the rmt site under the news section mostly. Just read a few from the last few months. Had a few giggles. The language used is like something from the 1980's. My particular recent favourite is the reference to Richard Branson's luxuary island retreat, but the aggressive posturing and general use of anarchistic language makes me wonder sometimes if it's a delibate parody or satire. Someone else mentioned a blindfolded madman foaming at the mouth. I wonder if it's a very intelligent right of centre workplacement student doing a bit of sabotage.

Thanks, I must have had a senior moment last time I looked.

 

[the sniper]

Can you give some generic examples of the wording in these internal emails.

I'll bet they are pretty tasty!

Material like that can't be reproduced here, it'd turn some blokes blind.

One might call it, 'XXX RATED'...

 

[bb21]

Let's face it. RMT at a higher level aren't really interested in getting their members the best deal possible, are they? Either that or they are seriously lacking up there somewhere.

One might be forgiven to think that they are really only interested in maintaining their own stranglehold on things going by their actions recently. The members they claim to represent are simply pawns in their political game. Shame that some of the local reps I have met are actually genuinely nice people who really wanted to do good. The risk of dwindling membership, hence power, should the "modernisation" proposals in the industry be pushed through is probably a bigger concern to them than the risk of their members being maltreated during the process, not that the latter does not happen. That press release mentioned upthread will only reinforce those impressions.

In all honesty, much of their membership only really have one option for effective collective bargaining. While they could opt to join other unions, RMT is often the only realistic option, and the union knows that.

Their leadership need to have a long hard look at themselves. Things will likely end up in a bad way if they continue to behave like that. Unfortunately when that time comes, their members will be the ones suffering, while some of the current leadership will have long gone, enjoying their fat pay cheques whether they left behind a shower or not. One could almost compare them to bank bosses...

 

[the sniper]

Let's face it. RMT at a higher level aren't really interested in getting their members the best deal possible, are they? Either that or they are seriously lacking up there somewhere.

I would imagine this is a local company council level led dispute seemingly widely supported by the relevant Cross Country members?

 

[Andyh82]

Why do the RMT yet again have to use provocative language ("wrecked" "sabotaged" and, indeed, "scab") - it does them no favours at all IMO. They really do need a better press officer if they want sympathy from the general public.

Not to mention a "£250 bounty" or "luxury accommodation"

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Let's face it. RMT at a higher level aren't really interested in getting their members the best deal possible, are they? Either that or they are seriously lacking up there somewhere.

One might be forgiven to think that they are really only interested in maintaining their own stranglehold on things going by their actions recently. The members they claim to represent are simply pawns in their political game. Shame that some of the local reps I have met are actually genuinely nice people who really wanted to do good. The risk of dwindling membership, hence power, should the "modernisation" proposals in the industry be pushed through is probably a bigger concern to them than the risk of their members being maltreated during the process, not that the latter does not happen. That press release mentioned upthread will only reinforce those impressions.

In all honesty, much of their membership only really have one option for effective collective bargaining. While they could opt to join other unions, RMT is often the only realistic option, and the union knows that.

Their leadership need to have a long hard look at themselves. Things will likely end up in a bad way if they continue to behave like that. Unfortunately when that time comes, their members will be the ones suffering, while some of the current leadership will have long gone, enjoying their fat pay cheques whether they left behind a shower or not. One could almost compare them to bank bosses...

Surely you're not suggesting that Mick Cash will be 'laughing all the way to the bank?'

 

[gavin]

You watch Northern, Merseyrail, GA, VTWC, SWT and XC be intruceted to walk out on December 24th to make the last minute rush to get home for Christmas become even busier/harder

 

[221129]

You watch Northern, Merseyrail, GA, VTWC, SWT and XC be intruceted to walk out on December 24th to make the last minute rush to get home for Christmas become even busier/harder

Except Dec24 is likely to be extremely quiet...

 

[sheff1]

One could almost compare them to bank bosses...

Well you could, although I can't recall seeing results for the election of any bank bosses recently.

In all honesty, much of their membership only really have one option for effective collective bargaining. While they could opt to join other unions, RMT is often the only realistic option, and the union knows that.

RMT members have plenty of opportunities to decide who they want to represent them. Mick Cash was elected to his post for the period until September 2019. Some of the other senior officials are due to stand for re-election (if they want to stand again, of course) before then.