-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Bite Card
- Thread starter Butts
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Masbroughlad
Established Member
At least the better food would be an improvement on the overpriced crap that XC and EMT offer on board these days!
So very true.
swt_passenger
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 7 Apr 2010
- Messages
- 34,270
Rail Gourmet (used by quite a few TOCs) is part of SSP - so in principle there's little to stop them accepting bite cards if they so decided. The economics of an onboard operation is totally different though...
SS4
Established Member
I've known the one at BHM for a while (and it's on the train side of the barriers which could be useful if you're changing) although I've never used it myself since most of my journeys start or end there and it's cheaper to drink outside the station
I keep meaning to use it at Euston's burger king but never remember
I keep meaning to use it at Euston's burger king but never remember
rmt-driver
Member
- Joined
- 21 Dec 2010
- Messages
- 289
SSP treats its staff appallingly. I know that SSP staff at M&S in a rail station in central London are given no messroom facilities, when on there break they are just told to sit on the main concourse. Minimum wage too
rmt-driver
Member
- Joined
- 21 Dec 2010
- Messages
- 289
Sounds like they need a union
We have been actively recruiting SSP staff, I personally went on a recruiting program recently at some London terminals. The RMT have got a special deal of £1 per week membership for SSP staff because of the low pay they are on. Hopefully when we get enough on board the RMT will be recognised by the company and we can get there working conditions and pay improved.
western Champion
Member
SS4
Established Member
I hope so. No worker should be without union representation since management will always take advantage. Good on you!
Doesn't surprise me. I suspect it's an attempt to get them to not take breaks/lunch by not giving them a proper staff room
rmt-driver
Member
- Joined
- 21 Dec 2010
- Messages
- 289
:roll: Boring!
mallard
Established Member
- Joined
- 12 Apr 2009
- Messages
- 1,304
Why on earth is the RMT recruiting retail staff? Part of their quest to drive up costs and ensure that economic realities don't apply to any worker in the UK? I'm sure SSP staff would be much better served by one of the retail, food industry or general unions. Put them in touch with USDAW, BFAWU, Unite, etc.
What is limit of what the RMT considers a rail, maritime or transport worker? Hell, I work (in IT) for a company that supplies some TOCs (among many clients) and there's a freight-only railway line just down the road from my workplace, maybe I should consider joining?
rmt-driver
Member
- Joined
- 21 Dec 2010
- Messages
- 289
Yes the retail unions have done very well for them haven't they...
They work in railway stations, same as station cleaners, security guards, ticket office staff, platform attendants etc
mallard
Established Member
- Joined
- 12 Apr 2009
- Messages
- 1,304
Having friends who work in retail and have had need of their unions, it seems to me that the retail unions do a very good job of ensuring that their members are treated fairly without crippling the profitability of the industry. They know that if they prevent their members' employers from turning a profit, their members will have no jobs at all.
Of course, in subsidised and public-sector industries, most jobs are "safe" regardless of the profit. Thus, the costs go up and the general public have to pay the bill. We understand why it happens, everybody has some selfishness in them, just don't expect us to be sympathetic and don't try to win us over to your "side".
It is not so much about increasing salaries to an unrealistic level. It is more about ensuring that employees have the opportunity and facilities to enjoy their legal breaks in relative comfort, and that the companies that like to bully their staff have less of a chance of getting away with it.
Who is 'us' anyway? Are you speaking for SSP's customers or everyone? Either way, I'm not sure that every person in those groups would agree with you. In fact, I'm certain of it, as I am in both categories and I don't!
western Champion
Member
Personally I can't see much point in the RMT other than at a local level as representation at a disciplinary hearing or the like.
When platform staff strike the trains still run.
When on board catering staff strike the trains still run.
When guards / train managers strike the management appear out the woodwork and trains still run.
There's only one job they can't do and therefore only one union worth being in. ASLE&F !
When platform staff strike the trains still run.
When on board catering staff strike the trains still run.
When guards / train managers strike the management appear out the woodwork and trains still run.
There's only one job they can't do and therefore only one union worth being in. ASLE&F !
mallard
Established Member
- Joined
- 12 Apr 2009
- Messages
- 1,304
And that's exactly how it works in most of the private sector. The work the unions do there is good and I fully support it!
In the public and subsidised sectors the problem is there is little to balance the worker benefit against.
In the private sector, the union demands a pay rise in a recession (for instance), the employer can simply say that it that will make x% of the business unprofitable and will result in y number of redundancies.
In the public and subsidised sectors, there is no such reality, even if a rail TOC goes bankrupt, most of the staff will just get a new uniform and carry on! The unions have too much power and the service users and taxpayers suffer because of it.
Who is 'us' anyway? Are you speaking for SSP's customers or everyone? Either way, I'm not sure that every person in those groups would agree with you. In fact, I'm certain of it, as I am in both categories and I don't!
I'm not talking about SSP specifically, I'm just against the intrusion of militant unions into areas outside of their "core". I think that SSP's workers would be well served by a retail or general union. If the RMT gets a foothold in them, we'll probably just see further decline in station facilities as they become less and less profitable.
But this thread is about SSP, specifically the Bite Card! The debate about public sector pay, working conditions and such like is best left for elsewhere!
I really can't see any link between particular union representation and a decline in station facilities!
I really can't see any link between particular union representation and a decline in station facilities!
I don't understand why more people do not have one of these great little cards.
Last time I was in Newcastle Burger King purchasing a Milk Shake the number of people in front of me with huge orders that could easily have been reduced by 20% was unbelieveable.
I was almost tempted to offer to hire it out at £1 a time
The best kept secret on the Railways ?
Cheers.
I never knew this even existed!
A 20% discount off of bar prices when I'm waiting for the train home is gratefully appreciated.
A happy worker = a hardworking and effective worker
But yes that is a rather tenuous link for the purposes of this thread.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Cheers.
I never knew this even existed!
A 20% discount off of bar prices when I'm waiting for the train home is gratefully appreciated.
Good point 20% the price of a pint in one of their pubs but no discount on alcohol when sold as an off-licence.
A happy worker = a hardworking and effective worker
But yes that is a rather tenuous link for the purposes of this thread.
Yes, that is why you would think that if a union came and improved working conditions, staff would be happier!
It's the idea that having the RMT representing SSP station staff would cause a decline, yet USDAW wouldn't that I find a litle strange!
I suppose it's a bit like people who work for twitter or Facebook being members of the CWU or heaven forbid the NUJ!!
That isn't in the conditions - it specifically says it can be used to buy alcohol with no other exclusion listed.
I have certainly used it before to buy cans of beer in the past.
Thats what I said to the rather unhelpful person at Sheffield in March.
It was very much a case of computer says no and there apparently was no supervisor around and the person was on their own, result; I walked out leaving the goods behind and bought something elsewhere.
Eng274
Member
- Joined
- 19 Aug 2010
- Messages
- 796
The Bite card is a wonderful thing, something I'm amazed so few people have, given it's free. My nearest SSP pub allows food and alcohol discount, not sure about soft drinks or snacks though. Still worthwhile having for Burger King etc though.
Something to bear in mind regarding staff conditions - SSP are a massive global company, currently many millions (or possibly billions) in the red. Like many retail/hospitality multinationals, they're suffering from reduced sales due to customers feeling the pinch and spending less etc.
Only government legislation will get them a higher wage (NMW) and having no staffroom is not isolated to the instance described earlier - my previous employer in an airport didn't factor in a staffroom when the premises was redeveloped; which meant in busy periods you were more often than not joined at your table by a MoP who insisted you gave up the entire table to them, even if you were half way through your dinner. (Nae chance!)
Something to bear in mind regarding staff conditions - SSP are a massive global company, currently many millions (or possibly billions) in the red. Like many retail/hospitality multinationals, they're suffering from reduced sales due to customers feeling the pinch and spending less etc.
Only government legislation will get them a higher wage (NMW) and having no staffroom is not isolated to the instance described earlier - my previous employer in an airport didn't factor in a staffroom when the premises was redeveloped; which meant in busy periods you were more often than not joined at your table by a MoP who insisted you gave up the entire table to them, even if you were half way through your dinner. (Nae chance!)
DelayRepay
Established Member
- Joined
- 21 May 2011
- Messages
- 2,929
Were you trying to use one of the listed brands? I guess it was the Pumpkin care shop if it was Sheffield?
bah, can't even buy a beer without an argument over hidden restrictions!
Eng274
Member
- Joined
- 19 Aug 2010
- Messages
- 796
Were you outside the off-licence selling hours? (Mon-Sat 10am - 10pm, Sun 12:30pm-10pm)
Indeed it was waiting for EMT to take me back to London
No it was Sunday I think and I was on my way home from a conference and due to the time I booked the train for to be on the safe side I already spent nearly 2 hours in the pub over the road including having a pint.
It was just a case of the person didnt know how to do it on the till so therefore it couldnt be done and they didnt want to look stupid in front of their manager, much easier to tell the customer they are wrong than to admit you might be or you dont know how to do something.
- Status