Recent content by spangles

Lets be honest here...Virgin have run the franchise since Privatisation on the WCML. Therefore I would argue its Virgin who are being unreasonable in not accepting the pension costs for people who have been employed by Virgin for over 20 years!!!

I completely agree with you. Delivery risk sits firmly with GTR under the contract and so the cost should be their's to bear. The point I was making was that given where we are now, I think you would struggle anyone willing to take on the franchise at the moment (including DFT). The plain...

Having previously been on the inside and now away from the mess, I would say the reason that GTR are untouchable is DFT are aware that what was asked to be delivered in the bidding process, was actually not deliverable by any TOC. The amount of training, timetable changes, fleet changes...

Full Southern service to be restored from tomorrow. Looks like ASLEF have sold RMT out. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38663331

Fares will always go up, but if you control cost the rate of increase will be slower. --- old post above --- --- new post below --- So actually you think you are better than the guards. You are happy for them to have to deal with he issues you state? I'm alright Jack. No wonder the guards...

I'd like to see you stand on the concourse at Victoria and tell that to passengers who haven't seen their kids to bed in weeks.

I'm not so sure. ASLEFS latest statement implied es they are willing to do a deal and are just upset that they have not been consulted. For the right money I think they would recommend their members to accept. Just my thoughts, obviously I may be wide of the mark.

GTR are off to court again http://www.southernrailway.com/southern/news/gtr-launches-legal-bid-to-stop-aslef-industrial-action/

Yes, but when you take out the emotion and just look at the facts: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Cuba I guess you could still argue that I am putting my opinion forward, that opinion which values freedom and human rights over dictatorship and human rights abuses, but each...

Seriously, who is running the RMT press room. Castro presided over massive human rights abuses, yet they have released this statement! http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-reaction-to-the-death-of-fidel-castro/

Breaking news: Dyan Crowther to leave GTR and become CEO at HS1. I wonder how it will impact current situation. http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/hs1_confirms_new_chief_executive_as_dyan_crowther_quits_company_which_owns_strike_hit_southern_to_run_high_speed_link_1_4711439

What I meant is that it's seems like the default option is to ballot for strike action at the moment. To me it seems like strike action should be the last card you play. As another poster said once you strike it's hard to escalate further. I can't help but feel being so trigger happy on...

You say that, but didn't GTR offer to guarantee the new roles into the new franchise (should they win it), they agreed to roster OBS onto all services that currently have a conductor, they agreed no compulsory redundancy or wage cut, agreed guaranteed overtime. This seems to me like a lot of...

For what's it's worth, I don't think there is a co-ordinated attempt to bring down privatisation (at this point). I do however think that if they are fighting everyone at the same time, something has gone wrong with the process or the strategy.

Currently the RMT has industrial disputes and is planning/has taken/is planning to take industrial action across a growing number of TOCs including: Scotrail conductors VTEC on board staff GTR conductors GTR station staff Eurostar Are they spoiling for a fight too easily with no aim to...