Gtr thameslink/GN negotiations & GN kings cross depot roster

[iWantIn]

This is a post aimed at GTR THAMESLINK/GN trainee or qualified drivers.

In regards to the recent pay deal, why was it regected? and when is the next one likely to be drawn up and put to a vote? I ask because I'm not due to start until after June...and would love to be on the old conditions of I could.

Also what is the shift work pattern like at kings cross for GN. An example 4week roster would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

iWantIn

 

[Rocket]

You will find most drivers will not comment on union business on a open forum.

What will be, will be and you will take them conditions.

I Haven't been to the X for a couple of years, but i think they still work to the same sort of roster.

Sundays are outside - 7 days notice if you don't want to work them.

4 day week Mon - Saturday, normally R/Ds couple together, but you may get a R/D, WED and a R/D Sat.

I think they get a long weekend on the 4th week - RD, Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

If I can remember, you sort of work 2 weekends on and around 2 off (approx)

Mornings and afternoons mainly, with the odd week of nights thrown in.

The bulk of the morning turns start between 5am and 6am, but there are 3 or 4 that start about 04:30 ish. They have also a couple around the 8am mark, which are out all day.

Not sure on afternoons, but the first afternoons will start around 12pm ish, until about 16:00 ish. I think the last one gets in about half midnight.

There is quite a lot of different work, you will go P'boro, Cambridge and you have quite a few inners to Welwyn and Hertford.

With the new tunnel opening, there are going to be a lot of changes in the future, some say Kings X may split and some drivers moved to Hornsey and some at Finsbury Park, but things to changes rapidly on the railway and that could all change.

For you, its going to get a long time before you will need to worry, you will have loads of training plus around 250 driving hours ( I think)

They is or was a car park at Kings X, but be aware, you may have to make your own way in for the early jobs.

Like i said, I've not been in the X for a couple of years, drivers will put me right if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that they still work the same. I know there haven't been much change to the other depots...at the moment.

I hope it helps...Good luck.....You will enjoy it at the X. There are some good guys over there and at the other depots.

I forgot to say.....If you don't like certain shifts, people do permanent change overs and some do weekly change overs. There is a notice board you pin up what you want to get rid of.

 

[iWantIn]

Thanks Rocket helps a lot. I was dreading their being freeday patterns that are not consecutive. Seems that a lot of the Thameslink/GN depots are changing. I heard that Blackfriars is changing or moving etc. We'll see.

Are there any GTR thameslink/GN depots that only have consecutive off days?

I understand about drivers not wanting to discus union business. I just wanted to know how long roughly they think it will take for them to come back with a new deal and how long after that the vote will be. a month? 2 months? 3 months?

I just want to sign a contract BEFORE the new deal is agreed because i very much value time off.

If there are any drivers out there who dont mind sharing any info on the time frame it may take for a new deal to be put forward and voted on please let me know via PM. I dont want to know the details of the deal.

Once again Rocket thanks for the info and well wishes.

 

[ComUtoR]

. I heard that Blackfriars is changing or moving etc. We'll see.

It is changing.

I understand about drivers not wanting to discus union business. I just wanted to know how long roughly they think it will take for them to come back with a new deal and how long after that the vote will be. a month? 2 months? 3 months?

Its a case of 'string x length =?'

I just want to sign a contract BEFORE the new deal is agreed because i very much value time off.

I doubt you will reject the job if your not on the old conditions. I wouldn't worry about it. Whatever happens will happen.

 

[iWantIn]

ComUtoR, Thanks & Of course i wouldn't reject it. Imagine. Are you GTR driver?

 

[choochoochoo]

It doesn't really matter if you're joining in the next few months.

You start on a trainee train driver contract so I suspect if they want you on new T's & C's they'll hold fire on you transitioning to the qualified train driver contract.

 

[Class2ldn]

It hasn't been rejected, looks like it will go to a vote

 

[Dave999]

Terms and conditions can change long after employment as ex Fire Service I know that too well, as a trainee you won't have time to even worry about it believe me.

 

[choochoochoo]

After you pass out as qualified from trainee, is there pay points/tiers that you go along every year (subject to performance reviews) that result in pay increases ?

If so, is anyone able to tell me by how much and what's top tier and how long does it take to get there ?

Please feel free to PM if you like

 

[Dave999]

Full salary from the moment you qualify on GN/TL.

 

[choochoochoo]

Ok thanks.

So once qualified, you have the same salary every year? Until it gets adjusted (for things like inflation) following union contract negotiations ?

I hope that means no need for annual box-ticking paperwork appraisals where you have to write pointless statements saying what you did well on and what you can improve on !! I hate those things.

 

[ComUtoR]

I hope that means no need for annual box-ticking paperwork appraisals where you have to write pointless statements saying what you did well on and what you can improve on !! I hate those things.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHa I can't speak for GN but we have them all the time. OTMR's, FDAs, LADDs, etc etc The training and development never stops. Now we have employee surveys that went from annually to random survey emailed to you :/

 

[Class2ldn]

No performance based pay increases but our pay talks are every October. The offer on the table at tge moment will take us upto 2019 if it comes in so you'll know what youll be getting paid each year upto that point.