Are there any strike days in September.

[Annetts key]

Oh dear, have I been taking illegal unofficial action by not working very much overtime, even when my manager has regularly been sending out begging emails out, over the last ten years?

In 1992, BR changed the T&Cs for all signal and telecommunications staff, their stated reason? To reduce the dependency on overtime working. Yet, currently, Network Rail depends on a high level of overtime working. Yet, they want to substantially cut the numbers of staff on top of removing most vacancies.

But their computer modelling says that it will be cheaper…

If you want more train delays and cancellations, and a generally worse service, support the government.

 

[43066]

Individuals choosing not to work overtime or rest days is totally their personal choice. However a whole swathe of staff suddenly stopping, more or less at exactly the same time is, well as the kids would say "sus". And if a blanket ban on overtime and / or rest day working was not included as part of the ballot then any organised, be it via the union or through the mess rooms, any "action short of a strike" is illegal under current legislation. And come on, how many people really believe that this was not in any way organised? A best its is sloppy, and at worst is is utter madness.

So in other words you continue to refuse to believe that the union isn’t at fault despite no evidence of nefarious practices having been presented! I think you’ve been been drinking too much of Grant Shapps’ Kool-Aid again. You do seem rather fond of it!

“At the same time” in this context means a time when the workforce has become disillusioned to the point where they’ve voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action. Surely it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they might not choose to be at work when they don’t have to be?

Given the current dreadful atmosphere on the railway I can honestly believe 90% of drivers working overtime would all decide to chuck it in, yes (remembering only a % work any overtime, a small % work lots of it, so that’s nowhere near 90% of ALL drivers). For the record I do genuinely believe that, I’m not just saying it for the sake of argument.

Frankly if ASLEF or any other union are trying to sneak this under the radar then they are not only damaging their own causes, but that of all unions. If they are not, then they should be letting their members know exactly what is, and what isn't covered on the ballot in no uncertain times. Because one legal error will ultimately bring down the entire dispute and the end of the pay claim.

I’m an ASLEF member. I’ve seen how quickly the reps jump on anything that could be seen as suss because they know the union has to be whiter than white. That’s a higher standard I might add than apparently applies to the government, who are prepared to lie and vilify ASLEF and its members at the drop of a hat.

If they had any evidence of unlawful industrial action it would have been presented. Trust me there are enough moles and management stooges out there…

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Aug 2022 ==

Oh dear, have I been taking illegal unofficial action by not working very much overtime, even when my manager has regularly been sending out begging emails out, over the last ten years?

If you don’t work it you’re lazy/taking unofficial action. If you do work it you’re overpaid/greedy.

Damned either way!

 

[Mag_seven]

Hello Board Members
I am hoping to get back on the rails in September but I am concerned about booking a trip that is on strike days.
Are there any strike days announced by the unions for September?
TIA

At the moment we don't know. The unions may choose to announce strike dates in September in due course.

I'm going to lock this thread now as we are going round in circles again with the same old pro union / anti union arguments.