Train Strikes Doncaster 30/7/2022+Hartlepool(A) 20/8/2022

Driverless trains in the UK ….OK… Docklands Light Railway MAXIMUM possible is 62 mph but in daily operation they never go beyond 50mph. Absolutely retrograde step on main line high speed railways. I love it when people comment on things they know absolutely . nothing about. China / Japan the world leaders in high speed rail………Use drivers!

 

I assume, based on your reply, you have experience in the field. At 62mph, as a basis, is irrelevant in the modern world.

That would drive more and more to the car, driving emissions, isolating those with a lesser disposable income.

I do wonder how a network, that has been woefully under funded in terms of infrastructure, is supposed to reform exponentially to a world of driverless trains and no conductors?

 

Bloody hell!....A thousand back seat drivers, no wonder they want more money!!

 

You might say that Dave, last 20 years mostly working as a senior manager on the railways, with a driver depot of 122 at one of my stations. Although not directly a “driver” responsibility I know exactly what they go through. Yes they can be “ militant” , in the sense they are a stickler for the rule book….It’s their and others safe operating bible, but anyone thinking it’s an easy job any man on the street can walk into are utterly ignorant of the facts. 75% of applicants fail the extremely onerous”test” procedure after applying. I wouldn’t do 24 hour shift work on my own covering 363 days a year for £100,000 a year ! It’s a serious occupation. Fairs fair to them.

 

Is that because you wouldn't take a 'drop' in wages....?

 

The best one that always gets rolled out is the comparison between a train drivers salary and, you've guessed it, an NHS worker, nurse etc. Then the infighting starts, 'why should train drivers earn so much etc...' when in reality we should all be taking the lead from what the RMT is doing and thats fighting for a fair deal for workers regardless of what background they work in. Can't people see through absolute idiots like Shapps and his ilk?

 

Well bloody said

 

Absolutely right. RT. I hope people don’t think my defence of train drivers is seen as somehow supporting industrial action of any type , I would and did when I was younger. ( Crofts 7 week strike in the 70’s) , and age mellows one , but when people say things that are deliberately untrue, indeed lies, it boils my brain. When you introduce “ whataboutism “ as the government like to deflect with, one gets a slanted version of reality, leading to ignorant misinformation.

 

Why don't they compare the salary of train driver to say, the salary and expenses of an MP? Because i know which one gives us greater value for money.

 

or they get paid enough already. i for one do not stand with the strikers...

also donny fans can use grand Central that goes directly from Doncaster to Bradford

 

or tpexpress or grand Central

 

Take some time to look at what railway executives across the country are earning and their respective pay increases and how much owners of companies involved with the networks are getting. likewise with other national industries like water where 3 industry executives were paid £9million in pay and bonuses last year. Its not the ones on the front line we should be targeting, its the ones that are paid scandalous amounts at the top

 

Fair enough.

 

even more critically, fares go up inline with inflation but wages don't.. wonder where that money is going...

Working people being played against each other classic tory play...

 

Isn't that the same at the top of most industry ? I'm no rampant socialist, but it's time that the industries that affect everyone, like Utilities, Rail Co, Bus Co etc were re-nationalised and prices set by the Govt rather than fat cats whose sole aim is to earn money for themselves & shareholders.

That said, train drivers earn £60k to £70k per year, I have customers who work for Network rail earning in excess of £60k per annum. Hardly grounds for my heart to bleed on how inflation is affecting them.

 

Thats the one and folk fall for it hook line and sinker. Once shareholders are involved the whole thing becomes a profit at all costs, end users see their fares increased to eye watering levels, staff are squeezed to a point where their salaries go down with inflation and the owners and CEOs pocket lottery winning figures. Meanwhile the infrastructure falls to bits, well outside of London. I'd love to know how our transport infrastructure and utilities compare with other countries in Europe.

 

Now that is one shambolic company. I wouldn't rely on them anymore.

 

I couldn’t agree more with both your posts.
I work at Openreach and we’ve just voted to go on strike.It was a 98.5% yes vote out of about 23,000 people who voted.
The company made £1.4 billion in profit.
The CEO was awarded a 32% rise in his remuneration package (£3.5 million a year) and the company paid out £760 million pounds in dividends this year.They’ve also raised prices by about 9 or 10% across all areas.
All employees agreed to no pay rise last year and the company ceased the potentially very profitable employee share option scheme due to covid having a massive impact on the company’s income.
This was despite the thousands of engineers who still enter customers premises each day working their normal hours and ensuring that vulnerable/at risk/elderly customers still had a phone service.
The company then decided this year,despite what everybody has put their selves through over the last 2 years to unilaterally award all employees a £1500 pay rise.
Whilst this may seem very generous it was used solely to divide the workforce as for a new starter it works out at 7% but for me who has worked their for 32 years it’s about 3%.
Even after the result of the ballot,the company have flatly refused to come back to the table with the union and strike action is now inevitable.
I love working for the company and am not in any rush to leave,but for them to line their own pockets while sat in their ivory towers while the man on the ground continues to put themselves at risk for the last 2 years seems a step too far.
I’m no militant but the “us and them” scenario has never seemed so obvious