Northern Rail services during strike

[northwichcat]

Services that will run: http://media.northernrail.org/News-Releases/NORTHERN-TRAVEL-ADVICE-FOR-27-and-28-DECEMBER-277.aspx

It's previously more services than first listed, which will obviously be good news for some people. However, I don't think Northern have looked at which towns are cut off by the lack of bank holiday services and which ones have bus services. For example, bus route 192 Manchester-Stockport-Hazel Grove-Stepping Hill does have a bank holiday service and Northern are running effectively the same service by rail in Manchester-Stockport-Hazel Grove-Woodsmoor, while the town of Knutsford is cut off unless you can drive to Wilmslow, Macclesfield or Hartford. There's quite a few other examples like that as well.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Services that will run: http://media.northernrail.org/News-Releases/NORTHERN-TRAVEL-ADVICE-FOR-27-and-28-DECEMBER-277.aspx

It's previously more services than first listed, which will obviously be good news for some people. However, I don't think Northern have looked at which towns are cut off by the lack of bank holiday services and which ones have bus services. For example, bus route 192 Manchester-Stockport-Hazel Grove-Stepping Hill does have a bank holiday service and Northern are running effectively the same service by rail in Manchester-Stockport-Hazel Grove-Woodsmoor, while the town of Knutsford is cut off unless you can drive to Wilmslow, Macclesfield or Hartford. There's quite a few other examples like that as well.

They are having to rely on Managers however I hope they all turn up, as said previously Majority of us who voted for Strike feel that we have to, we don't want to regardless of what some people say, I do sympathise with the pax but as a boss told me the other day this is the 1st strike (on the west side) since 1996 way before my time on the railway.

 

[bradders1983]

They are having to rely on Managers

And scabs, of course!

 

[northwichcat]

this is the 1st strike (on the west side) since 1996 way before my time on the railway.

That certainly isn't the last strike action on the west side. First North Western went on strike quite a few times and they only started in 1997. I remember a lot of my journeys in 2002 being affected by strikes by both FNW and ATN. There was also the 'work to rule' that was imposed under FNW so many services were cancelled for a few months because FNW relied on people working overtime. Maybe you mean last conductors strike and it was drivers who were striking in 2002?

 

[ANorthernGuard]

That certainly isn't the last strike action on the west side. First North Western went on strike quite a few times and they only started in 1997. I remember a lot of my journeys in 2002 being affected by strikes by both FNW and ATN. There was also the 'work to rule' that was imposed under FNW so many services were cancelled for a few months because FNW relied on people working overtime. Maybe you mean last conductors strike and it was drivers who were striking in 2002?

I mean't conductors sorry, my bad
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And scabs, of course!

I don't like the "scab" word everyone has to make their own decision

I would never cross a picket line, if a union member did they (my personal opinion only) then they should withdraw from the union before crossing said line

you can't have the backing of a union then pick and choose what you follow and don't after there has been a vote

 

[Max]

I will simply drive on the 27th. Northern has left me no choice. They have also totally abandoned many remote communities by choosing to run semi-fast services instead of stoppers, a strange decision in my view.

 

[yorkie]

And scabs, of course!

You mean sensible people who want to work, who should have the right to work?

 

[kyrano]

You mean sensible people who want to work, who should have the right to work?

you tell them mate they should be greatfull they have a job these strikers earn more than me and should be greatfull ,

[Further comments removed]

 

[bradders1983]

You mean sensible people who want to work, who should have the right to work?

Note the smiley

 

[CarterUSM]

You mean sensible people who want to work, who should have the right to work?

I don't know mate, I don't care for the view that one is not sensible for striking. Individual circumstances aside, someone who has had a vote and then decides to scab after failing to accept the result is pretty low in my book, if they don't want to strike then don't vote, indeed, pull out the union also.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

My opinion is this: if you're in the union and vote no to a strike, and the strike happens and you refuse to accept the result, you should leave. It's democracy.

If you're not in the union and you decide to work during a strike, no one should think any the less of you.

 

[cuccir]

My opinion is this: if you're in the union and vote no to a strike, and the strike happens and you refuse to accept the result, you should leave. It's democracy.

If you're not in the union and you decide to work during a strike, no one should think any the less of you.

Agreed

 

[ANorthernGuard]

I don't know mate, I don't care for the view that one is not sensible for striking. Individual circumstances aside, someone who has had a vote and then decides to scab after failing to accept the result is pretty low in my book, if they don't want to strike then don't vote, indeed, pull out the union also.

Thats My View

My opinion is this: if you're in the union and vote no to a strike, and the strike happens and you refuse to accept the result, you should leave. It's democracy.

Yep same again

If you're not in the union and you decide to work during a strike, no one should think any the less of you.

and I even agree with that lol

Agreed

the end of the day if you are in a union and a strike is voted for you should/have to follow that ruling, if you do not like the result and decide to work then either leave or get barred from the union, people can't have all the benefits of being in a union then pick and choose what you like/don't like

 

[Anvil1984]

Its majority rule, if the vote was a no vote in the end, the people who voted yes cant decide just to strike. I voted no but by a stroke of luck I have managed to be rest day both days (so I could get back home to parents) but if i hadnt I wouldn't be working.

 

[Saxonia]

My opinion is this: if you're in the union and vote no to a strike, and the strike happens and you refuse to accept the result, you should leave. It's democracy.

If you're not in the union and you decide to work during a strike, no one should think any the less of you.

Sound words, my friend - I actually did vote for strike action, but I am in complete agreement with your opinion. This strike action has NOT been taken lightly - had it been a NO vote, we too would have had to abide by the wishes of the majority, so let the NO voters do likewise for us, & abide by the result of the ballot. If you are not happy, withdraw from the union - that, too, is your democratic right.

 

[theblackwatch]

the end of the day if you are in a union and a strike is voted for you should/have to follow that ruling, if you do not like the result and decide to work then either leave or get barred from the union, people can't have all the benefits of being in a union then pick and choose what you like/don't like

Do you really want the union membership to start plummeting in numbers?

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Do you really want the union membership to start plummeting in numbers?

whats the point in being in a union if you are not willing to abide by the decisions made by the majority of its members, if the ruling was no strike I wouldnt go on strike because of the ruling.

 

[theblackwatch]

whats the point in being in a union if you are not willing to abide by the decisions made by the majority of its members, if the ruling was no strike I wouldnt go on strike because of the ruling.

I assume that was a 'yes' to my question rather than a 'no'!

 

[CHESHIRECAT]

Just to say thanks for spoiling travel plans of everybody utilising (or not) Northern Rail services 27 + 28 December

Merry Christmas (not)

 

[radamfi]

Does peer pressure exist in the rail industry?

 

[Oswyntail]

My opinion is this: if you're in the union and vote no to a strike, and the strike happens and you refuse to accept the result, you should leave. It's democracy.....

Of course, that would mean no rioting students for us to chat about.:cry: My problem is really that I cannot see what a strike achieves (in most cases) other than making a bad situation worse. And, in my experience (from other industries) strikes are often called not as a last resort, but as a retaliation to "management" not giving way to all "demands". Eventually co-operation, negotiation and compromise are the only way forward, and macho posturing from either side can only provoke hardening attitudes.

 

[theblackwatch]

Something I have just noticed - in 2009, December 28th was a Bank Holiday. Presumably Northern's guards worked it for normal pay? How come there was no talk of any action last year?

 

[bradders1983]

Something I have just noticed - in 2009, December 28th was a Bank Holiday. Presumably Northern's guards worked it for normal pay? How come there was no talk of any action last year?

Probably as there wasn't two Bank Holidays one after the next.

 

[The Barlow Boy]

Does peer pressure exist in the rail industry?

Yes it does. Some of us are old enough to remember the disgraceful occurences around the Medway depots during the A.S.L.E & F. strikes of the early eighties with strikers hanging around school gates telling children that their daddies shouldn't be letting their colleagues down. Every branch produced it's "Loyal to ASLEF" badge, those that weren't wearing one were generally shunned and ostracised.
Peer pressure? You bet!

 

[Anvil1984]

There wasn't strike action last year but a vast majority of the west side conductors refused to work the Sunday 27th 2010, this didn't affect the East side

 

[GB]

Just to say thanks for spoiling travel plans of everybody utilising (or not) Northern Rail services 27 + 28 December

Merry Christmas (not)

Grow up:roll:

Do you really want the union membership to start plummeting in numbers?

Of course not, but you cannot have it both ways. Your either all in or your all out, you can't just pick and choose.

 

[theblackwatch]

Of course not, but you cannot have it both ways. Your either all in or your all out, you can't just pick and choose.

You mean like the staff chose to work the Bank Holiday on Dec 28th last year with no fuss but won't this year? You can't just pick and choose.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

There wasn't strike action last year but a vast majority of the west side conductors refused to work the Sunday 27th 2010, this didn't affect the East side

So everyone was happy to work the Dec 28th bank hol in 2009. Did they not think by doing that it would send out a message to the management that they had agreed to it?

 

[GB]

You mean like the staff chose to work the Bank Holiday on Dec 28th last year with no fuss but won't this year? You can't just pick and choose.

Well with respect...yes you can.

I suspect neither you nor I know the full circumstances leading up to last years bank holiday and the reasons staff decided to work it, or the events leading up to this one where staff have decided not to.

 

[theblackwatch]

Well with respect...yes you can.

I suspect neither you nor I know the full circumstances leading up to last years bank holiday and the reasons staff decided to work it, or the events leading up to this one where staff have decided not to.

Perhaps if the union were to explain their reasoning for working one year but throwing toys out of the pram the next, they might have some more support or sympathy from their employer's customers. Over to one of those involved for a reply...

 

[Anvil1984]

Last year as pointed out their was ONE additional bank holiday on the bank holiday Monday. East Side staff were recompensed by receiving 8 hours pay or their normal wages for the day, west side staff did not receive any payment and chose not to work the 27th December (Sunday), so whilst they did work the bank holiday they did not work the Sunday, that option (individual choice not industrial action) was not available this year due to no trains running today in any case.

This year as there are 2 extra bank holidays, East Side staff are only receiving pay for Christmas Day and not being recompensed for the Boxing Day substitute bank holiday (staff just being booked off on Sunday without pay) so there is the crux of the dispute on the East Side. West Side aren't receiving any extra pay for either substitute bank holiday and don't get the extra pay for Christmas Day / Boxing Day that the East Side do because of the terms and conditions . As a result of not being able to take action on a Sunday like last year, official action is being taken over the next two days

By the way I am a no voter but if other issues were included (i.e the profits not being spent on maintainence) then I could have been persuaded to vote Yes but that wasnt the issue on the table