Railway Industrial Disputes Mk2

[dodecahedron67]

More so the “tolerance” comment - not sure the modern left exactly qualifies as that!

With the fact that more extreme values are becoming normalised (moreso on the right), is it really that people are less tolerant, or is it that more people are becoming intolerable?

 

[CAF397]

Phil Haigh on twitter reporting that the RMT is now allowing non-compulsory overtime on TPE for conductors. The dispute over ticket scamning remains though.

https://twitter.com/philatrail/status/1549814069166735360?t=IhI9NbDY5e6UXFI8t4l0Og&s=19

 

[Gostav]

If you look at the staples in supermarkets, prices of pasta, rice, etc have pretty much doubled over the past year. The more high end foods have only gone up a little bit. So if your household budget post mortgage/rent is spent on food and heating, then that is a much larger rise than people who have a lot more disposable income.

If the economy is really difficult, can the railway company pay its employees in kind as additional wages? According to the stories I have heard, in China in the last century, when companies could not pay cash, they replaced them with food and products, so that they could tide over the difficult years.

 

[kristiang85]

If the economy is really difficult, can the railway company pay its employees in kind as additional wages? According to the stories I have heard, in China in the last century, when companies could not pay cash, they replaced them with food and products, so that they could tide over the difficult years.

I would agree that is an idea - such as free lunches for employees, but most of these perks are still taxable so might not be as easy to do for employers. Hopefully the treasury will do a bit of loosening to allow some creative solutions by employers.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

If the economy is really difficult, can the railway company pay its employees in kind as additional wages? According to the stories I have heard, in China in the last century, when companies could not pay cash, they replaced them with food and products, so that they could tide over the difficult years.

In the 19th century, the Government introduced the Truck Acts which had the effect of ensuring the whole of employee's wages was paid in the currency of the country and not in kind. A ruling on the current state in law of the Truck Acts would need to be clarified, before employers could pay part of employee's wages in the manner you suggest.

 

[muz379]

In the 19th century, the Government introduced the Truck Acts which had the effect of ensuring the whole of employee's wages was paid in the currency of the country and not in kind. A ruling on the current state in law of the Truck Acts would need to be clarified, before employers could pay part of employee's wages in the manner you suggest.

That sort of stuff has been superseded now by the employment rights act 1996 which has provisions related to payment of wages .

It wouldn't really be relevant to what is being suggested here either , which is that in lieu of a pay increase we give additional benefits like free food . Indeed it seems like part of the offer to entice NWR employees is priv rate travel for themselves and their families instead of a pay increase . The "Truck Acts" were introduced to stop employers paying currently accepted wages in goods , valued at the emplpoyers whim .

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

That sort of stuff has been superseded now by the employment rights act 1996 which has provisions related to payment of wages .

It wouldn't really be relevant to what is being suggested here either , which is that in lieu of a pay increase we give additional benefits like free food . Indeed it seems like part of the offer to entice NWR employees is priv rate travel for themselves and their families instead of a pay increase . The "Truck Acts" were introduced to stop employers paying currently accepted wages in goods , valued at the emplpoyers whim .

Indeed there is a very great difference between "in kind" emoluments in lieu of a pay increase compared with "in kind" emoluments for payment of hours actually worked by employees.

 

[dk1]

Rumours on Twitter that the Chiltern strike for the 30th has been called off.

 

[Signal_Box]

Legal challenge yes.

 

[dk1]

Legal challenge yes.

As I expected unfortunately.

 

[Walter Whigham]

I have just read that Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, and his pal Grant Shapps have welcomed the repeal of legislation debarring the use of agency staff during industrial action. Mr Kwarteng has been quoted as saying:

"From today, businesses exposed to disruption caused by strike action will be able to tap into skilled, temporary workers to provide the services that allow honest, hardworking people to get on with their lives. That's good news for our society and for our economy."

They then admit that the forthcoming rail strikes come too soon to benefit from this law change!

Therefore we will have to wait patiently to witness the prospect of someone coming straight from a DWP office to drive the 17.00 to Holyhead, or to man a major signalling centre like York.

 

[HST274]

Out of interest why did they bin the idea idea 'multiskilling' staff. I myself was not aware that had been discussed and was interested in the potential dangers.

 

[greyman42]

As I expected unfortunately.

I think most people would find it fortunate.

 

[dk1]

I think most people would find it fortunate.

Really?

 

[greyman42]

Really?

Yes, most people are against the strike action.

 

[dk1]

Yes, most people are against the strike action.

I’m sure most people you mention would rather it was settled rather than postponed.

 

[greyman42]

I’m sure most people you mention would rather it was settled rather than postponed.

Yes, if that is what you meant then i completely agree.

 

[ComUtoR]

Yes, most people are against the strike action.

Do you have any evidence of that ?

 

[Bald Rick]

As I expected unfortunately.

well, for the legal challenge to have succeeded, it means ASLEF must have screwed up the ballot.

That‘s three they’ve got wrong now in short order. Must be getting expensive for them.

 

[43066]

well, for the legal challenge to have succeeded, it means ASLEF must have screwed up the ballot.

That‘s three they’ve got wrong now in short order. Must be getting expensive for them.

If that is indeed the case, agreed. Albeit the balloting rules are fairly onerous, so arguably something of a “David and Goliath” contest.

I’m sure it will be red meat to the usual “Unions are EVIL. I earn £10 per hour and hating train drivers makes me feel better about my life” crew on here.

It won’t make them any better off, though.

 

[dk1]

well, for the legal challenge to have succeeded, it means ASLEF must have screwed up the ballot.

That‘s three they’ve got wrong now in short order. Must be getting expensive for them.

Once I’d understand but what’s not being done correctly. I’m on my third strike this week.

 

[Bald Rick]

I assume it is balloting the wrong people. I’ve heard that the TPE one was spectacularly wrong.

It is unlikely to be failing to follow the process for balloting, as they have done it often enough, and clearly know what the process is otherwise all the ballots would have been challenged.

 

[LowLevel]

I assume it is balloting the wrong people. I’ve heard that the TPE one was spectacularly wrong.

It is unlikely to be failing to follow the process for balloting, as they have done it often enough, and clearly know what the process is otherwise all the ballots would have been challenged.

The RMT learned the hard way over ballot irregularities I think and goes to great lengths to ensure everything is done to the letter - going through lists with a fine tooth comb and checking contact details.

Perhaps ASLEF are rather more out of practice locally given they don't generally ballot as often as RMT. It is a very fast way to lose a lot of money, both in terms of the cost of a ballot and re-run and any potential legal action.

 

[Kite159]

I wonder if any of the other operators are looking closely at the ASLEF ballots just in case they discover another mistake, similar to Northern/TPE/Chiltern.

 

[Bald Rick]

I wonder if any of the other operators are looking closely at the ASLEF ballots just in case they discover another mistake, similar to Northern/TPE/Chiltern.

you can safely assume they already have. It’s the first thing that is done on receipt of the relevant paperwork.

 

[Class 170101]

One has to bear in mind that resorting to the courts will leave bad feeling between all sides even once this issue is resolved.

 

[Efini92]

Perhaps ASLEF are rather more out of practice locally given they don't generally ballot as often as RMT. It is a very fast way to lose a lot of money, both in terms of the cost of a ballot and re-run and any potential legal action.

I’d say that’s pretty accurate, it certainly sounds like branch secretaries haven’t been keeping the membership lists up to date.
I think after the southern court case, they are reluctant to go back to court incase they incur costs again.

 

[Bald Rick]

One has to bear in mind that resorting to the courts will leave bad feeling between all sides even once this issue is resolved.

Not really, in my experience.

 

[Carlisle]

One has to bear in mind that resorting to the courts will leave bad feeling between all sides even once this issue is resolved.

Not necessarily, South Eastern went to court to prevent the RMT organising TOC wide DCO strikes when Javelins were introduced, & they’ve been operating successfully ever since .

 

[Exscrew]

Any news on the pay talks,? For NR