Industrial relations for govt controlled TOCs this summer

[mandub]

What do people think the govt plan is for the dft backed TOCs and the railway in general.

It seems there's going to be no pay discussions that aren't in exchange for giving up existing work benefits or conditions.
So presumably they are expecting strike action. Do they actively welcome this? I'm thinking they must??

My TOC stated they couldn't start pay talks until they'd discussed a business plan with the dft. So the talks were delayed.
Once commenced they made no pay offer and say they can only discuss pay in relation to productivity changes.
So, they've gone to the dft and presumably been told they are not allowed to offer any straight pay deal.
I'm certain they will have told the dft that this will 100% lead to strike action and the dft are now fully aware of this (if they weren't already).

It wouldn't take a big % offer to placate the staff at my depot at least in the immediate term and I imagine the dft have been told that.
Dft must have a plan here and an end position they are aiming for?

I'll be voting yes for strike action as it's the only option available, but is this what the govt actively want the unions to do?

 

[Bald Rick]

I'll be voting yes for strike action as it's the only option available

surely they’ll be a ‘no’ option available too?

 

[Solent&Wessex]

What do people think the govt plan is for the dft backed TOCs and the railway in general.

It seems there's going to be no pay discussions that aren't in exchange for giving up existing work benefits or conditions.
So presumably they are expecting strike action. Do they actively welcome this? I'm thinking they must??

My TOC stated they couldn't start pay talks until they'd discussed a business plan with the dft. So the talks were delayed.
Once commenced they made no pay offer and say they can only discuss pay in relation to productivity changes.

I'll be voting yes for strike action as it's the only option available, but is this what the govt actively want the unions to do?

Same at my TOC.

In relation to the last point I think the answer is yes.

The Treasury and the DfT is desperately keen to reduce the amount of taxpayers money being spent on the Railway. And let's be honest, *some* parts of it are over resourced, over expensive and inefficient.

It has also been mentioned as part of the Great British Railways plan that they would like to try and standardise working conditions and practices across the country.

I think the plan will go like this:

Allow a summer of discontent on the railways. There will be strikes, overtime bans etc.

People trying to use the railways in their leisure time will be put off and moan a lot or drive. Local MPs will complain that the tourism economy in their area is being hit by unreliable railways, strikes etc. There will be talk of how ordinary people are struggling to get to work and may loose their jobs

There will be headlines in the papers about greedy train drivers on £65k a year and the hard left union leaders all causing the average minimum wage person chaos and hardship and hitting the economy.

The public in general aren't a great fan of railway unions anyway, nor of what are considered overpaid railway staff.

The Government will initially wash it's hands and say the unions and employers should talk.

There will be some months of chaos.

The Government will then come in and announce it is going to solve the railway crisis. It will produce a standard contract for each grade across the board with perhaps different pay rates for different type of work. These will no doubt include greater flexibility, Sunday working etc. These will be dished out on a "take it or leave it basis".

There will be no public support for what are considered overpaid rail workers nor for the hard left union propaganda.

90% of employees will accept the new contracts because they cant afford to make themselves redundant.

The reduction in headcount will be offset by the increased flexibility of the remaining majority if staff.

The railways return to normal(ish).

Everyone hails Boris and co as saviours of the railways and for quashing the hard left union eccentrics.

The DfT and Treasury have achieved their goal of reduced headcount, more flexible staff and more harmonised contracts, and saved a pot load of money in the long term.

The staff, in general, have been used as cannon fodder and would likely be in a far worse place than before.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

I’ve voted yes in both boxes, but mainly because of the potential erosion of our Terms and Conditions. The pay part is important too, but I’m not expecting miracles in that respect. I really didn’t want to vote yes, but I know this is probably the RMT’s last stand against the DfT.

 

[robert thomas]

I’ve voted yes in both boxes, but mainly because of the potential erosion of our Terms and Conditions. The pay part is important too, but I’m not expecting miracles in that respect. I really didn’t want to vote yes, but I know this is probably the RMT’s last stand against the DfT.

Beware what happened to the miners

 

[778]

Same at my TOC.

In relation to the last point I think the answer is yes.

The Treasury and the DfT is desperately keen to reduce the amount of taxpayers money being spent on the Railway. And let's be honest, *some* parts of it are over resourced, over expensive and inefficient.

It has also been mentioned as part of the Great British Railways plan that they would like to try and standardise working conditions and practices across the country.

I think the plan will go like this:

Allow a summer of discontent on the railways. There will be strikes, overtime bans etc.

People trying to use the railways in their leisure time will be put off and moan a lot or drive. Local MPs will complain that the tourism economy in their area is being hit by unreliable railways, strikes etc. There will be talk of how ordinary people are struggling to get to work and may loose their jobs

There will be headlines in the papers about greedy train drivers on £65k a year and the hard left union leaders all causing the average minimum wage person chaos and hardship and hitting the economy.

The public in general aren't a great fan of railway unions anyway, nor of what are considered overpaid railway staff.

The Government will initially wash it's hands and say the unions and employers should talk.

There will be some months of chaos.

The Government will then come in and announce it is going to solve the railway crisis. It will produce a standard contract for each grade across the board with perhaps different pay rates for different type of work. These will no doubt include greater flexibility, Sunday working etc. These will be dished out on a "take it or leave it basis".

There will be no public support for what are considered overpaid rail workers nor for the hard left union propaganda.

90% of employees will accept the new contracts because they cant afford to make themselves redundant.

The reduction in headcount will be offset by the increased flexibility of the remaining majority if staff.

The railways return to normal(ish).

Everyone hails Boris and co as saviours of the railways and for quashing the hard left union eccentrics.

The DfT and Treasury have achieved their goal of reduced headcount, more flexible staff and more harmonised contracts, and saved a pot load of money in the long term.

The staff, in general, have been used as cannon fodder and would likely be in a far worse place than before.

Do you think there will be strike action every weekend this summer from mid June onwards? Because of the increase in home working due to covid, a strike during the week will have less impact than at weekends, because a lot of people will just work from home.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

I reckon the Commonwealth games will be targeted for one…

 

[778]

I reckon the Commonwealth games will be targeted for one…

Do you think the Jubilee bank holiday weekend and Glastonbury will also be targets?

 

[Peregrine 4903]

Do you think the Jubilee bank holiday weekend and Glastonbury will also be targets?

Jubilee Bank Holiday won't. Its too soon.