Yeah, I still have shunting in my rules too. The last big change was the loss of lead responsibility if I recall. For the record, I don't consider traincrew posts, or signallers either for that matter, to be skilled jobs. Semi skilled perhaps, but certainly not skilled. Metroland especially likes to promote his 'seniority' as an ex signalman for whatever reason.
On one hand were told don't rely on technology, then you are happy to get on a train (Don't they rely on technology?). On the other you boast how working class you are (I never did understand why people aspire to be of the labouring classes), but you want Middle England wages. On another hand you are telling us how important guards, and how much training they have to have, but then say they are semi-skilled at best?
Make your mind up.
I don't actually regard railway operations staff as unskilled, In fact spend a lot of time explaining the day-to-day problems and challenges, but if you do that's fine. But take a pay cut accordingly, and stop whining how indispensable you are.
Finally you don't know what jobs I have done, it is completely irrelevant in any case to this debate.
I am hopefully informing the less well informed that DOO is not unsafe and the claims made about the effectiveness of guards (or the replacement by revenue protection inspectors) is from overblown to downright lies purely for self-interest reasons by the RMT and others (usually guards and fuddy-duddy drivers).
This is turn diverting precious resources that could be used for real improvements, while maintaining practices from Edwardian England.
The only reason this McNulty thread is centred on DOO, is because the usual suspects are frightened they have no ability whatsoever about finding another job, in the rail industry or elsewhere. More to the point, last time I looked, in most cases you keep your old rate of pay should you be downgraded.
Nevertheless it's all a fruitless waste of time trying to have a debate and sensibly cut costs because agreement will never be reached, because some people cannot accept compromise, sensible and realistic safety management, or any sort of logic based argument. IE why track circuit clips are completely irrelevant with most new signalling schemes, and large parts of the network with AB signalling, the very lines where Guards tend to be employed. Not the high volume suburban services (dare I say DOO services), shifting 20 times more traffic, which seem to miraculously work quite safely.
I fully expect the Unions to still be debating on whether Rich Tea or Digestives are fully safety compliant and the appropriate break-time provision, long after the money has run out and half the network has closed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I wonder if the industry and unions would be more open to change if existing staff were protected for pay, even if their duties are downgraded?
They are protected, unless they are made completely redundant and re-employed on new contracts.
