It is possible the journey planners are not updated, but the Kings Cross - Royston is none stop according to them.That seems to contradict the Industrial Action page on the Thameslink website, which says that there will be an hourly service from Kings Cross to Royston that will call at Welwyn North and Knebworth next Saturday (20th May).
Thameslink - Industrial action
www.thameslinkrailway.com
Well if all overtime were refused, it would cause far greater issues than simply having to hire more staff. See the earlier point about most train crew agreeing to extend their shift, where hours rules permit, in order to assist with recovery of the service. Staff can in general rely on the their contract to go home at the time posted.
You're getting very hung up on the use of a word that, as defined, is entirely accurate. Nobody ever suggested that train crew are obliged or compelled to work their rest days, however it is blatantly obvious that rest day work is available and staff are refusing to accept that work, as they are quite entitled to do. The only person suggesting any hostile, loaded, use of the word "refuse" is yourself.
There are lots of companies where currently it's absolutely not available.
Your absolutely correct but both RMT and ASLEF have collaborated in encouraging this way of working which is also deeply rooted in the history of our industry where too many people were poorly paid and relied upon o/t. For example In the 1980's my depot staff (M&EE RS Cat 3/4 staff) would bite my hand off for weekend o/t as that was the only way they could afford to support themselves and families. Never had an issue covering weekend possessions as a result.
I never said there weren't, did I?
I never disputed any of that. But if you have the choice of doing something, whether that be by asking to do it, or by being asked to do it, it is not inaccurate to say that you refused. "I refuse to volunteer for rest day work" has exactly the same meaning as "I don't work my rest days" or "I only work my rostered days". If you choose to interpret "refuse" in a negative manner, then so be it. I very much doubt the OP intended it's use in a negative manner, I certainly didn't interpret it in that way.
I would rather the train operators reduce their timetable to something they know they can feasible run, rather than keeping the timetable unchanged and then somewhat randomly cancelling trains. At least with a reduced timetable, passengers have a greater degree of certainty.
Your post didn't succeed in establishing a clear case where it was available and also is being refused, though. If you had such an example in mind, you'd have said so.
Perhaps the time has come to just plan what can be delivered within current establishments without any RDW or planned overtime. Yes that may result in less than perfect interval timetables on many routes but with commercial input and the planning community the services would gradually become optimised around demand as rosters are rewritten. The problem we have at the moment is planning is under resourced and all too often there isn't enough time to rejig rosters within depot/company agreements on when they can be changed.
Indeed but Torys are on a scorched earth policy and with Harper and even Merriman just descending to the same level as the outspoken ones just inflaming the situation. Unfortunately I see no end to it, unless ASLEF members push the reps to be conciliatory which aint going to happen, so on we go. It should be clear to senior industry leaders and RDG by now that govt will provide no more money so they have a duty to do the best they can to insure the longevity of the industry so the next govt has choices. Thus planning the best service that can be offered within current establishment should be implemented by them forget trying cover so much with RDW and overtime. Wont be pretty on some routes but it will better than the short notice crash and burn service offering we have from the likes of GTR next week because they have no time or planning resource to offer anything better but they have train crew resources to do better.
Limited, unless there is disruption. Spares will still cover any open turns, but anything out of their hours won't be covered or trains may end up out of position
I expected a bit more of him but should have known better as soon as your minister you get rechipped
Umm they'll use it for tax cuts and another pensions buyout as that will buy them more votes than giving into "well paid train drivers".
This. This. And thrice this.
Well put. It’s also worth noting because avanti don’t have enough drivers and they can’t rely on RDW they have reduced their service from 9tph (11tph in the peak) to 7tph.
So the DFT will sack every aslef driver involved out of the 14/15 TOCs and just let the public know they'll be no trains for 24 months. They can then advertise, put the applicants through the rigourous testing process, interview and then finally train for 12-15 months while everyone just takes the bus. Cracking idea I wonder if they have considered that.
