FCC Staff Shortage

[jon0844]

So, the drivers (some of them at least) enjoy the ability to earn some extra money - and good money I'd imagine. To do this regularly, they are quite happy to have RDW and a shortage of drivers.

FCC wants to run a full service and seem to be training new drivers, but it's a slow process.

At the moment, the drivers have the edge - but they must know that will end.

If half of my colleagues left work Monday, I'd probably get more money for covering their work - but I'd know that the employer would be aiming to replace them and the extra money would cease. Knowing my boss, I'd probably not get much of a thank you either.

I understand (and respect) the principle argument but I stlll think many drivers will not stick together forever and think for themselves. They will want to earn that overtime while they still can.

FCC sent a message on Friday saying that there would be a new reduced timetable running on TL from Monday 14th - which seemed a very strange thing to publish. An existing cut down service cut back even more. Joy for passengers on TL!

 

[Metroland]

Well quite clearly FCC has made very serious errors in crew provision. The situation is so serious, questions need to be asked whether they meeting the requirements of their franchise. In a period of high unemployment, there is no problem recruiting the people of the necessary calibre to fill these positions.

Reading that email, to an observer, the dispute is polarised and extremely damaging. It highlights to total disconnection toward actually providing a service and quite clearly wants to punish the rail industry, passengers, supporters and investors, be they public or private, for self gain.

The poster of that email has shown poor judgement on posting such a communication for public consumption.

 

[73110]

It takes over a year to train a driver and there are hardly a handful in the system now as I type. To have a full establishment of drivers to prevent this kind of thing happening again would mean the company taking on a minimum of 100 drivers to cover all depots, more even.

They would have to advertise for them, interview them then train them. If they advertised now and interviewed them I reckon this would take us up to at least March next year before we see them starting.

Then they have to be trained, again, over a year in the seat learning the job. Then they have to pass the strict 2 week assessment, lets say a quarter of them fail....

Anyhow, in the meantime this situation carries on, every driver I know is happy to keep things as they are, even the high earners accept the strong feeling around the depots. The company would have the franchise taken off them before then I can assure you of that which brings me to say the drivers are in a great position right now.

A driver last week mistakenly thought the deal was going through so signed up for three rest days. When he came in for the first one he was shocked at the reception he got from other drivers, his mates even, the feeling is strong and he blew in the remaining two rest days.

As for posting that email why have I shown poor judgment on posting it. It is not a company document, It is what most drivers have in their inboxes at the moment and is generally how many feel about it. One driver I know has emailed it around the papers.

Personally I didn't imagine anywhere near the level of camaraderie between the drivers.

 

[mackenzie_blu]

Just for interest of the diagrams that are working what is the chance of seeing the 377's on the Bedford - Brighton route?

Rare. Seems there is one 8 car running back and forth, one 8 car doing just after and just before peak and used for driver training at Brighton and an 8 car all stations service hitting Blackfriars around 1914 heading for Bedford and thats it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

FCC sent a message on Friday saying that there would be a new reduced timetable running on TL from Monday 14th - which seemed a very strange thing to publish. An existing cut down service cut back even more. Joy for passengers on TL!

Simple its a different timetable so FCC had to put out that they are running a reduced timetable BASED on the December 2009 timetable changed. Not a reduced timetable based on the recent already reduced timetable. To be honest little changes expect less peak evening Bighton trains calling at London Bridge trains, less Beckenham Junction trains and all Gillingham's become Rochesters. Don't expect even if this is sorted tomorrow that a full proper timetable is going to run until January 2010 at the earliest due.

A someone who is on the platforms, I back the drivers and so do the general travelling public. They aren't doing anything wrong but seems the deal they are being offered from what Im told by reps is a fair and better one. I hope they make the right decision whatever that is.

 

[Tom C]

Simple its a different timetable so FCC had to put out that they are running a reduced timetable BASED on the December 2009 timetable changed. Not a reduced timetable based on the recent already reduced timetable. To be honest little changes expect less peak evening Bighton trains calling at London Bridge trains, less Beckenham Junction trains and all Gillingham's become Rochesters. Don't expect even if this is sorted tomorrow that a full proper timetable is going to run until January 2010 at the earliest due.

I have a grave feeling that FCC may pay the ultimate price over this dispute.

They just do not seem particularly bothered at the moment. The communication is poor and the sense of urgency is virtually non existant.

I cannot see how the DfT could allow this to go on when they wrapped London Midland on the knuckles over one Sunday and surely they must now be in a position where they are defaulting on the franchise in any case.

It just seems to me as if FCC does not care enough to actually turn this around. Its either they do not care or simply they just don't know what to do.

 

[johnb]

@Tom C it all depends on whether FCC have the government's tacit permission or not.

If First has been quietly told "don't back down, we need to ensure we don't get any big give-ins to the unions ahead of public sector pay-cuts and pay-freezes" (which wouldn't surprise me), then of course they're not going to lose their franchise over the dispute.

OTOH if this is really just Aberdeen having a dour wallet lock-down, then you're right that it has to end soon one way or another.

 

[mackenzie_blu]

I have a grave feeling that FCC may pay the ultimate price over this dispute.

They just do not seem particularly bothered at the moment. The communication is poor and the sense of urgency is virtually non existant.

I cannot see how the DfT could allow this to go on when they wrapped London Midland on the knuckles over one Sunday and surely they must now be in a position where they are defaulting on the franchise in any case.

It just seems to me as if FCC does not care enough to actually turn this around. Its either they do not care or simply they just don't know what to do.

The DfT cleared the implemation of the reduced timetable so I doubt FCC are going lose the franchise over it but Im sure the agreement to run the reduced service came with clause.

 

[jon0844]

The FCC online forum was held today.. nearly every question about compensation and demanding to know why FCC didn't anticipate this or sort it out sooner!

http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.u...QuestionNumber=&sAskedby=&sSearchFor=&iPage=1

I've been involved in nearly all of these forums since the start of the FCC franchise, and this one is without a doubt the worst I've ever seen. Not just because of the common theme - that was always expected (in a way I respect FCC for not postponing it) - but the fact is that the current management staff working to answer questions are simply not answering the questions!!

Everything is a straight answer that doesn't actually answer, a 'we'll look into it' or a rather suspect response that seems to try and pull the wool over our eyes.

What a contrast to the early days when Elaine and co would give very straight, honest answers with actual data on when something would be done (and nearly always, it was). There was a genuine understanding of the situation, a desire to do the right thing - and even though not every answer was always what I guess the person asking wanted to hear - at least it was honest.

Now it seems to be all spin and, to be honest, they may as well have not bothered to hold the Q&A at all.

It seems that FCC are convinced all drivers will be back to volunteering as normal and they'll be running the proper timetable in no time. Let's wait and see!!

 

[Aictos]

Question Number:177
From: Ms A B

You are clearly avoiding proper answers to many of the questions and using some real spin in your answers.

Is the main first group board pulling strings here? Does it help you if formal complaints were made by passengers to the DfT or the main first group Board as you are simply having to two some group party line.

Answer

I'm sorry that you feel we are are spinning the responses. We are answering them directly here. It is unlikely that the FG Board are aware we are having the forum today and there is certainly no influence from outside of the room at Hertford House.

Have they not thought that since it's been advertised on the FCC website for quite a while, anyone from the First Board could easily find out that the forum is being held today if they had any interest in doing so?

One word would describe today's forum well which was spin, the others as jonmorris0844 stated were better, not only that but they were interesting to read.

 

[jon0844]

I didn't ask any questions today.. didn't see the point when I knew it would be full of moans about services and refunds (and mainly TL).

What surprised me was the poor quality of the responses and the clear lack of any research. When I visited Elaine, she had files on just about everything (as you'd expect for an MD!) and could look up plans, timetables, dates and costs. Some things she might not be able to say in public, and she may need to call upon someone else, but the forums actually gave an insight.

What's more, if something couldn't be done there was usually a good reason why. After major disruption, someone could explain why something couldn't happen (e.g. trains in the wrong places, trains of certain formations unable to call at certain stations or the wrong train type for the location etc).

All in all, you actually came away learning something - and probably respecting the company and thinking they weren't just pencil pushers that are totally disconnected from reality.

And now we have the other end of the spectrum where we have the pencil pushers!

A bit harsh? Possibly, but that's certainly the impression I got - and clearly others have too.

 

[mackenzie_blu]

I'm not quite sure what the answer is trying to say? You see more 377? (In the sidings?)

Q

Question Number:143
From: Mr Mike Griggs

Right, now while I am enjoying only spending £25 a week de to the fact that I am getting delay repay claims back, that is no excuse for the appalling state of the rolling stock on the brighton to bedford route during the commuter rush during the troubles.

Its not me who is directly affected, but there are pregnant women who use this train, and the fact that first class is either declassified or unavailable makes the fact that you are charging anything when the old trains are in use is applaling/ Even though you can't seem to get your drivers to work now, can you guarantee that the new rolling stock that we your customers pay for will be available even despite the 'reduced' winter timetable


A

The new trains are building up their mileage and therefore we are using the trusty older 319s as they are proben and tested on the route at this time. It is important that we use the more reliable fleet at this time.

You will more 377s in due course.

 

[jon0844]

We could start an entire thread on the rubbish answers given by FCC management yesterday.

Another thing; even though they may think they've been honest and upfront, they came over as incredibly arrogant and unwilling to budge on anything. Answer after answer was the same. Okay, they may have been frustrated to answer the same question over and over - but it isn't as if they started out being all nice and polite, then got worse. In previous forums, they'd have directed people back to a previous answer if it really was the same question.

I am also confused about how you can be made to claim on delay repay for trains running on a timetable that is different from reality? And the system fails even more when people cannot fit on a train at all and must wait another 30 minutes or more.

The fact is; FCC clearly doesn't care or it would have brought in some form of temporary measures to compensate people in view of exceptional (if predictable) circumstances.

 

[mackenzie_blu]

We could start an entire thread on the rubbish answers given by FCC management yesterday.

Another thing; even though they may think they've been honest and upfront, they came over as incredibly arrogant and unwilling to budge on anything. Answer after answer was the same. Okay, they may have been frustrated to answer the same question over and over - but it isn't as if they started out being all nice and polite, then got worse. In previous forums, they'd have directed people back to a previous answer if it really was the same question.

I am also confused about how you can be made to claim on delay repay for trains running on a timetable that is different from reality? And the system fails even more when people cannot fit on a train at all and must wait another 30 minutes or more.

The fact is; FCC clearly doesn't care or it would have brought in some form of temporary measures to compensate people in view of exceptional (if predictable) circumstances.

Interesting some of the figures they give are different for the same thing. Oops.

The idea is the passenger gets a 'better deal' with paying out for what should be running rather than is actually running.

 

[The Box Photter]

FCC is sitting fat & happy with all our season ticket cheques tucked away earning a nice profit to pay a healthy dividend for the shareholders. That's the bottom line. First Group is run for the benefit of its shareholders (who could quite possibly include the final salary pension schemes operated by RMT & ASLEF).

That's the inherent problem with a semi-privatised railway, private firms rake in the profits and HM Government steps in to clean up the mess when the profits aren't forthcoming a la GNER & Nat Ex East Coast. First Group probably knows it won't get its extension of the franchise now, so it has no incentive to improve the situation for travellers like me.

Drivers are just trying to make a decent living like the rest of us and I certainly don't blame the drivers for adhering to the terms & conditions of their contract. It was the fault of the corporate lawyers who failed to spot the problem in the contract of employment that might occur if management took the proverbial when offering a backdated 0% pay rise.

Trying to solve the problem by training more new drivers won't work in the short-term. I fear that FCC will have to "suck up the pain" and pay what ASLEF want.

I would caution the more militant ASLEF members though, that FCC management, though dishonest and devious, are not stupid, once enough drivers are available, watch for a new contract of employment being forced though, with the probable approval of new legislation preventing public service workers going on strike brought in by the next (definitely not Labour) administration.

 

[jon0844]

Perhaps there should be an alternative to strike action.

A union won't pull labour, but can dispute actions and if a strike is approved - the company must pay towards a fund (equivalent to what would be lost if staff did not work) and then if the action is approved by an independent body, that money is given to the union/staff. If not approved, it is returned to the company.

Okay, my idea is somewhat basic - but it would enable to the union to take action, but not do so just for the sake of it or to 'test the water'.

Both sides would presumably benefit from this. It would work particularly well in the case of BA, who could potentially go out of business over their action (or the Royal Mail).

However, the company would stand to lose considerable money if it just did what it liked.

 

[mackenzie_blu]

Perhaps there should be an alternative to strike action.

A union won't pull labour, but can dispute actions and if a strike is approved - the company must pay towards a fund (equivalent to what would be lost if staff did not work) and then if the action is approved by an independent body, that money is given to the union/staff. If not approved, it is returned to the company.

Okay, my idea is somewhat basic - but it would enable to the union to take action, but not do so just for the sake of it or to 'test the water'.

Both sides would presumably benefit from this. It would work particularly well in the case of BA, who could potentially go out of business over their action (or the Royal Mail).

One idea was to not do any kind of reveune collection and hurt the company that way. That would have the support of the public.

 

[jon0844]

Wouldn't that require union action? The drivers didn't have to do anything with approval - just not volunteer.

An RPI refusing to work would surely land them in all sorts of trouble.

A nice idea though!

 

[paul1609]

All I can say is read the "signal failure article" on P12 of the latest edition of private eye.
Ian hislop is also very informed on railway matters imho!

 

[Edvid]

One particular submission to the recent webchat has been picked up by The Telegraph!

 

[jon0844]

I saw the question, but didn't actually think it was that clever or funny. Still, it's good that it was picked up by the press.

What a shame the press took no interest when I was telling them about this a few days into the 'Christmas shopping' cancellations. It seems the media were happy with FCC's lie - and looked pretty stupid when First actually 'fessed up and apologised - and the truth came out.

Perhaps they were too caught up on who was going out on X-Factor each week to care!

 

[Aictos]

One idea was to not do any kind of reveune collection and hurt the company that way. That would have the support of the public.

Yeah, I can see the majority of the passengers especially the more militant ones from the Thameslink route would be more then happy to support the workforce.

 

[jon0844]

Except they could probably be sacked. Again, that would probably be fine with passengers....

Actually only fine with fare evaders. Those paying £4,000 a year would actually hate it.

 

[HH]

I shouldn't be saying this but....

The staff shortage was simply down to a mixture of incompetence and changes of key staff. Balls got dropped. It wasn't a deliberate policy. And the roots of the problem go back to the days of Elaine Holt.

The pay offer was not the idea of local management, but instructions from a certain scottish cattle fancier.

Kick the FCC Directors for being incompetent and spineless, but don't accuse them of setting out to deliberately upset the staff.