The unions know this- part of the idea of the strike is to hold the company to ransom, and try and direct the passenger anger at the company. The company PR will do their level best to demonise the unions (always made easier when Bob Crow is on the picket line) through the press.
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Possible strike action on NXEA
- Thread starter yardman
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The unions know this- part of the idea of the strike is to hold the company to ransom, and try and direct the passenger anger at the company. The company PR will do their level best to demonise the unions (always made easier when Bob Crow is on the picket line) through the press.
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O L Leigh
Established Member
All this is understood, and I agree that it is most unfortunate. Regrettably there are times when the TOC's understand no other language than being hit in the pocket.
We'd love to be able to resolve these issues without recourse to strike action, but unfortunately the company appears to be unwilling to undertake any meaningful talks with staff representatives. There has even been some discussion in messrooms that the company's actions over the past few months has actually been a deliberate incitement to strike, and there is some evidence to suggest that this isn't a particularly bizarre interpretation of events. An RMT strike ballot has mirrored the result of Aslef's ballot, and both TSSA and ATCU would have joined them in taking action if only they hadn't botched their own ballots.
Don't forget that the real losers are the striking staff who will be sacrificing money out of their pay packets in order to demonstrate the depth of their feeling about the way that the company has been treating us. I stand to lose three days pay on the published strike days and am only saved from losing more by being on leave for two weeks. No matter what sort of increase we secure, it will not make up for the financial loss that most drivers will suffer as a result of taking industrial action. However, we are not going to be swayed from this course of action because we are fed up with the way we are being treated.
O L Leigh
Out of interest, do you know on what grounds the other unions bo!!@(%$* up?
Anyway, as one of the legion of commuters affected by this, I'm opting to take a positive from it, and on at least one of the strike days this week will be cycling all the way to and from work- though for many this really isn't an option.
Anyway, as one of the legion of commuters affected by this, I'm opting to take a positive from it, and on at least one of the strike days this week will be cycling all the way to and from work- though for many this really isn't an option.
Indeed, mine and the girlfriends holiday will be severely disrupted if all the strikes go ahead. We travel via NXEC, EMT and NXEA to Great Yarmouth, on the 10th, come back on the 13th.
NXEA strikes on the way back, but that doesn't worry me too much, as Great Yarmouth to Norwich is bus-able. But how on gods earth to I get from Peterborough to Norwich in between two connecting trains?!
I know the advice is to not travel, but I really can't afford to be p*ssing money up the wall (B&B, other trains, etc).
So what could I possibly do? Can't see NXEC being very sympathetic, when other train companies strike.
Cheers for any help
Dan
NXEA strikes on the way back, but that doesn't worry me too much, as Great Yarmouth to Norwich is bus-able. But how on gods earth to I get from Peterborough to Norwich in between two connecting trains?!
I know the advice is to not travel, but I really can't afford to be p*ssing money up the wall (B&B, other trains, etc).
So what could I possibly do? Can't see NXEC being very sympathetic, when other train companies strike.
Cheers for any help
Dan
Sleepy
Established Member
??? just get the bus from Yarmouth to Norwich in time to catch your orginal trains !
Aictos
Established Member
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- 10,403
Reason it takes so long is because despite being branded as a express route, it's not as it stops at all bus stops once out of Peterborough, :roll:
If it only actually stopped at say Peterborough Bus/Rail Station - Wisbech - Dereham - Kings Lynn Bus Station - Norwich Bus Station - Great Yarmouth Bus Station and Lowestoft Bus Station instead of all the local bus stops on the way, it would be a lot more faster taking probably only 2 hours if that.
I think I've explained it wrong, but I know about the Lowestoft to Peterborough bus from when I used to live in Great Yarmouth, and thats the one I plan to get back to Norwich, if NXEA still carry out their strike on the 13th.
It is the way to Great Yarmouth on the 10th, when EMT are striking, which is the worry, as that is the middle train of the 3 on our journey. We can get the 1910 X1 from Peterborough, and I fear even though that wouldnt get us to Yarmouth until 22:50, it may be our only choice. Is that the case?
What comeback do we have on the tickets? They are Advance Purchase for the whole journey (i.e not separately purchased), booking from the NXEC website.
Cheers
Dan
O L Leigh
Established Member
Sleepy
Established Member
It is the way to Great Yarmouth on the 10th, when EMT are striking, which is the worry, as that is the middle train of the 3 on our journey. We can get the 1910 X1 from Peterborough, and I fear even though that wouldnt get us to Yarmouth until 22:50, it may be our only choice.
EMT are no longer striking - hence my confusion about what you meant !
EMT are no longer striking - hence my confusion about what you meant !
They aren't striking AT ALL?
I see where the confusion was now, sorry!
Dan
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh, just seen their website, indeed, all EMT strikes are cancelled.
Not too worried about the NXEA strike on the 13th, the X1 will suffice if it goes ahead.
Dan
delt1c
Established Member
- Joined
- 4 Apr 2008
- Messages
- 2,181
Amazing , ever since Thatcher made it her goal to crush the unions, how blinkered people can be and how easily led. Yes in the 70's the unions were to powerful and yes held managment to ransom. But now the tables have been completley reversed and it is the working person being led and bled by the managment, and due to good (for employers) media coverage the unions get portrayed as the vilains. Strange isnt it how as soon as problems ocur who do employees turn to, yes unions. Without unions we would be working for pitance and likewise passengers would be traveling in coal trucks with wooden boards for seats, because thats all the general working public would be able to aford from their pitence of a wage.
It has been said before not all companies are suffering from the recion , but many are using it as an excuse.
If companies didnt forsee the current down turn or over bid for the franchise why should the staff be expected to bail then out.
A few questions for the union bashers out their.
Are you Union members?
If you have a problem at work who do you turn to?
As a season ticket holder and commuter with NXEA I am going to suffer durring the strikes, my commuting time will be increased 300% each day, but I am 100% behind the staff .
many people have quoted how they are angry at how it will affect them, stop looking at the small picture and start looking at the broader picture. These staff are not only fighting for their own sake but also for the public as a whole.
If companies could get away with it after screwing staff for all the savings they could gain the next step would have to be savings on services. i have already seen NXEA reduce the Stansteads of peak to 4 car car. But what next? an 8 car 317/5 deployed on a kings Cross Edinburgh working , on paper it has the capacity .
It is time we supported the unions. It may sound extreme the demands they ask for but what is aimed at is negotiation, ask for 10% managment offers 2% and negotiate to 5%. the press dont highlight the managment offer or negotiated but talk about the union demand.
A lot of savings in staff costs have been made over the years, back in the 80's a Liverpool St to cambridge would have had a crew of 4, Driver , secondman (for steam heating) , guard and at least 1 person for the buffet car. now we have 317's with DDO yet profits still arent enough.
SUPPORT YOUR UNION, THEY SUPPORT YOU
It has been said before not all companies are suffering from the recion , but many are using it as an excuse.
If companies didnt forsee the current down turn or over bid for the franchise why should the staff be expected to bail then out.
A few questions for the union bashers out their.
Are you Union members?
If you have a problem at work who do you turn to?
As a season ticket holder and commuter with NXEA I am going to suffer durring the strikes, my commuting time will be increased 300% each day, but I am 100% behind the staff .
many people have quoted how they are angry at how it will affect them, stop looking at the small picture and start looking at the broader picture. These staff are not only fighting for their own sake but also for the public as a whole.
If companies could get away with it after screwing staff for all the savings they could gain the next step would have to be savings on services. i have already seen NXEA reduce the Stansteads of peak to 4 car car. But what next? an 8 car 317/5 deployed on a kings Cross Edinburgh working , on paper it has the capacity .
It is time we supported the unions. It may sound extreme the demands they ask for but what is aimed at is negotiation, ask for 10% managment offers 2% and negotiate to 5%. the press dont highlight the managment offer or negotiated but talk about the union demand.
A lot of savings in staff costs have been made over the years, back in the 80's a Liverpool St to cambridge would have had a crew of 4, Driver , secondman (for steam heating) , guard and at least 1 person for the buffet car. now we have 317's with DDO yet profits still arent enough.
SUPPORT YOUR UNION, THEY SUPPORT YOU
Going on strike for the public? Do you think we're completely stupid?
Yes a lot of staff costs have been saved, and they should have been used to reduce subsidy quite honestly or fares at the very least. The big picture is actually taking the whole of society into account, not just pay deals.
Yes a lot of staff costs have been saved, and they should have been used to reduce subsidy quite honestly or fares at the very least. The big picture is actually taking the whole of society into account, not just pay deals.
delt1c
Established Member
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- 2,181
no I dont think you are stupid, if I did I wouldnt waste my time in posting. As some one who has worked through the 70's' 80's 90's and milemium, reckon I have seen and worked through many changes
Listen, I think unions are, on the whole, a good thing because capitalism and greed does need keeping in check.
But, I'm against greed in general, because it what gets humanity into most of its problems. It starts with spoilt kids and grows from there.
We have congestion and climate change to fight, were are in the grips of the worst recession in a generation. You might disagree, but I think its the wrong thing to do - striking over pay at this time. I also think its wrong greedy companies paying directors big bonuses and shareholder big deals on the back of taxpayers.
The railways are about public service, if you really don't like the job LEAVE and retrain. There are plenty queuing up to take your place.
At other companies people are working for nothing, taking pay cuts, or having inflation matching pay increases, in many cases to keep jobs.
But, I'm against greed in general, because it what gets humanity into most of its problems. It starts with spoilt kids and grows from there.
We have congestion and climate change to fight, were are in the grips of the worst recession in a generation. You might disagree, but I think its the wrong thing to do - striking over pay at this time. I also think its wrong greedy companies paying directors big bonuses and shareholder big deals on the back of taxpayers.
The railways are about public service, if you really don't like the job LEAVE and retrain. There are plenty queuing up to take your place.
At other companies people are working for nothing, taking pay cuts, or having inflation matching pay increases, in many cases to keep jobs.
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delt1c
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- 4 Apr 2008
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- 2,181
read again I am not an employee, if I was I wouldnt be a season ticket holder
Fair enough. Well I don't support them, but you won't find anyone more pro-rail than me. Its going to give unions, them and the railways a bad name.
I think quite honestly people are far too black and white and ideological. Just because I don't support these strikes, doesn't mean I am right wing, led by my nose or anti union and anti god knows what else I get accused of. Its doesn't automatically follow unions are bad, management are good or vice versa, or left wing bad, right wing good. I'm fully aware of the struggles in society for votes, conditions, pay, rights and so on. Those people are my heros, but there is such as thing as going too far and it doesn't do the cause any good.
And yes I do know what some management in this country are like, running a business IS as much about community and workforce, I've been saying it for years. There are people that get themselves into positions that think their job is a power trip, not to motivate the workforce or solve problems. All part of the same problem.
As you can tell I don't side, and tell you what I think is right, feel free to disagree. Its just more bad news for the passenger, more for the railways, more for everyone else in a very difficult period.
I think quite honestly people are far too black and white and ideological. Just because I don't support these strikes, doesn't mean I am right wing, led by my nose or anti union and anti god knows what else I get accused of. Its doesn't automatically follow unions are bad, management are good or vice versa, or left wing bad, right wing good. I'm fully aware of the struggles in society for votes, conditions, pay, rights and so on. Those people are my heros, but there is such as thing as going too far and it doesn't do the cause any good.
And yes I do know what some management in this country are like, running a business IS as much about community and workforce, I've been saying it for years. There are people that get themselves into positions that think their job is a power trip, not to motivate the workforce or solve problems. All part of the same problem.
As you can tell I don't side, and tell you what I think is right, feel free to disagree. Its just more bad news for the passenger, more for the railways, more for everyone else in a very difficult period.
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regulation9
Member
- Joined
- 28 Jul 2009
- Messages
- 26
Can't be anything to do with contract of employment. Most of the Company Council minutes for Ntional Express East Anglia are posted on the ASLEF website. Anyone can read them if they want to.
RMT will be taking strike action on the following dates. ASLEF have confirmed that their members will be striking on the same days:
00.01 hrs Thursday 30th July to 23.59 hours Friday 31st July
00.01 hrs Thursday 6th August to 23.59 hrs Friday 7th August
00.01 hrs Thursday 13th August to 23.59 hrs Friday 14th August
00.01 hrs Thursday 20th August to 23.59 hrs Friday 21st August
This week, RMT revealed that National Express has made nearly half a billion pounds in profits from their rail operations over the past ten years while sucking in £2.5 billion in subsidies over the same period
RMT have also issued a call to the government to take urgent and decisive action over National Express as it emerged that not only are the company planning an all out fight to hold onto the East Anglia and c2c franchises, contrary to the cross-default rules, but are also sending signals that they may even fight to retain the East Coast Main line despite the announcement by Lord Adonis two weeks ago that it is to be renationalised.
Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said today:
“RMT are in no doubt that the failure to make any kind of meaningful pay offer to staff on National Express East Anglia is all about the company trying to milk the franchises that they have left, fatten up their profits and make their staff pay for a crisis which was cooked up in the boardroom by senior managers who have now jumped ship.
“RMT members have shown in this ballot that they are not prepared to be the victims of the National Express franchise chaos and that they are determined to fight for a decent pay rise and for decent working conditions. This company has made half a billion in profits out of our members over the past decade, it’s a scandal that they are offering their staff peanuts in return.”
=====
Me thinks the RMT are obsessed with profits. Obviously a company has to make profits in order for it to invest, but I have noted some people saying 'People sat on their fat backsides raking it in'
Well, most shareholders are institutions who invest money in shares for people's pensions.
It seems to me like this is an emotive target, how many people have shares, pensions, savings or houses are are similarly 'sat and their backsides, and raking it in' too on other 'investments'. Don't think for one second I'm keep on companies raking it in on tax payers expense, but a lot do, including large concerns that get indirect subsidy through tax credits or grants, but MOST people are investors of some sort.
It seems very odd to me the RMT are so keen on nationalisation (Well it doesn't actually its purely political). The wages in the early 90s were from memory:
Driver, £200 per week, plus DOO and shift allowance, mileage allowances.
Guard £115 per week and shift allowance
Clerical £95-220 per week
Signalman grade A £110 per week to Grade F £220 per week, plus shift allowance, DOO and other enhancements
Which actually was far too low, I think what they get now is very fair, especially for the driving grade and the RMT would do well to acknowledge it instead of coming out with emotive press releases, that certainly get my back up.
00.01 hrs Thursday 30th July to 23.59 hours Friday 31st July
00.01 hrs Thursday 6th August to 23.59 hrs Friday 7th August
00.01 hrs Thursday 13th August to 23.59 hrs Friday 14th August
00.01 hrs Thursday 20th August to 23.59 hrs Friday 21st August
This week, RMT revealed that National Express has made nearly half a billion pounds in profits from their rail operations over the past ten years while sucking in £2.5 billion in subsidies over the same period
RMT have also issued a call to the government to take urgent and decisive action over National Express as it emerged that not only are the company planning an all out fight to hold onto the East Anglia and c2c franchises, contrary to the cross-default rules, but are also sending signals that they may even fight to retain the East Coast Main line despite the announcement by Lord Adonis two weeks ago that it is to be renationalised.
Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said today:
“RMT are in no doubt that the failure to make any kind of meaningful pay offer to staff on National Express East Anglia is all about the company trying to milk the franchises that they have left, fatten up their profits and make their staff pay for a crisis which was cooked up in the boardroom by senior managers who have now jumped ship.
“RMT members have shown in this ballot that they are not prepared to be the victims of the National Express franchise chaos and that they are determined to fight for a decent pay rise and for decent working conditions. This company has made half a billion in profits out of our members over the past decade, it’s a scandal that they are offering their staff peanuts in return.”
=====
Me thinks the RMT are obsessed with profits. Obviously a company has to make profits in order for it to invest, but I have noted some people saying 'People sat on their fat backsides raking it in'
Well, most shareholders are institutions who invest money in shares for people's pensions.
It seems to me like this is an emotive target, how many people have shares, pensions, savings or houses are are similarly 'sat and their backsides, and raking it in' too on other 'investments'. Don't think for one second I'm keep on companies raking it in on tax payers expense, but a lot do, including large concerns that get indirect subsidy through tax credits or grants, but MOST people are investors of some sort.
It seems very odd to me the RMT are so keen on nationalisation (Well it doesn't actually its purely political). The wages in the early 90s were from memory:
Driver, £200 per week, plus DOO and shift allowance, mileage allowances.
Guard £115 per week and shift allowance
Clerical £95-220 per week
Signalman grade A £110 per week to Grade F £220 per week, plus shift allowance, DOO and other enhancements
Which actually was far too low, I think what they get now is very fair, especially for the driving grade and the RMT would do well to acknowledge it instead of coming out with emotive press releases, that certainly get my back up.
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O L Leigh
Established Member
Metroland: You're a smart guy, but I believe that I have already addressed some of the points you have raised.
The one that I feel certain I have already covered is your claim that efficiency savings should be offset against subsidy. While this is a wonderfully utopian wish and something that I think many would like to see, it just ain't ever going to happen. Firstly there is no mechanism for this, but the main reason has to be that there is no incentive. It's not like the TOC's can invest in their franchises in any meaningful way and see a return. Even though the railways operates in a slightly unusual financial situation, these are still private companies who are driven mostly by profit. As I said earlier in this thread, any savings will simply be offset against the bottom-line in order to make the company more profitable.
Now as I have also already clearly said, I have a lot of sympathy for those in the workforce who are facing pay freezes, redundancy and the like. However, as the effects of the recession are not being universally felt I see no reason why those companies who are not being adversely affected should be exempted from giving their staff a sensible pay increase. It may seem unfair on those who are unlucky enough to be working for a struggling employer, but it is also unfair on those who are not if we allow this situation to continue.
On your point about there being many who would gladly do the job for less, well I can only wish you good luck in trying to practically demonstrate that. TOC's who offer lower rates of pay have big problems with staff retention, ocassionally to the extent that the "savings" from the pay difference is eroded by the constant burden of having to train replacements for those who leave the moment they qualify. However, your arguments on this point can only ever remain theoretical as there is now no way of ever implementing wage caps or reductions.
But to bring this post back on-topic, we're being told by NXEA that the cupboard is bare. Unfortunately this doesn't add up. According to the Annual Report & Accounts for 2008, the UK rail division made a profit of £81.3m (up from £63.3m in 2007 and £49.1m in 2006) in spite of falling revenue (click. At the beginning of July shareholders received a dividend of 39.12p per share, the highest dividend payout yet (click). I'm no financial expert but it appears to me that the company is in rude health, something that I am sure the half-year results will underline when they are published on 30th July. This is not a company that is struggling it's way through turbulent times, but simply one that wants to secure it's future profitability at any cost (though they can still find the money for the Chief Exec to write individually to every member of staff on what feels like a weekly basis).
It bares saying again that the issues at stake are not solely to do with money. The state of industrial relations has sunk to an all-time low. Unlike some of my colleagues who have no work experience outside the railways and, therefore, no concept of how the management of private companies tend to behave, I am pretty tolerant of a lot of things. However, even I have now been thoroughly alienated by some of the things that have been going on. Naturally I have to be a little bit careful about what I say publicly, but I have never experienced anything to compare to this in any other job.
I'm glad that you are pro-rail and I would never want to try and persuade anyone to be pro-union if they are not already so inclined. However, what I really want to try and convey is at least some kind of understanding about the issues behind the dispute. I'm not seeing this as any sort of debate to be won.
My contract of employment does indeed require me to be bound by the terms of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. This means I cannot say, do or take part in anything that might damage the company's business.
Besides, the ASLEF website contains links to company council newsletters, not minutes.
O L Leigh
The one that I feel certain I have already covered is your claim that efficiency savings should be offset against subsidy. While this is a wonderfully utopian wish and something that I think many would like to see, it just ain't ever going to happen. Firstly there is no mechanism for this, but the main reason has to be that there is no incentive. It's not like the TOC's can invest in their franchises in any meaningful way and see a return. Even though the railways operates in a slightly unusual financial situation, these are still private companies who are driven mostly by profit. As I said earlier in this thread, any savings will simply be offset against the bottom-line in order to make the company more profitable.
Now as I have also already clearly said, I have a lot of sympathy for those in the workforce who are facing pay freezes, redundancy and the like. However, as the effects of the recession are not being universally felt I see no reason why those companies who are not being adversely affected should be exempted from giving their staff a sensible pay increase. It may seem unfair on those who are unlucky enough to be working for a struggling employer, but it is also unfair on those who are not if we allow this situation to continue.
On your point about there being many who would gladly do the job for less, well I can only wish you good luck in trying to practically demonstrate that. TOC's who offer lower rates of pay have big problems with staff retention, ocassionally to the extent that the "savings" from the pay difference is eroded by the constant burden of having to train replacements for those who leave the moment they qualify. However, your arguments on this point can only ever remain theoretical as there is now no way of ever implementing wage caps or reductions.
But to bring this post back on-topic, we're being told by NXEA that the cupboard is bare. Unfortunately this doesn't add up. According to the Annual Report & Accounts for 2008, the UK rail division made a profit of £81.3m (up from £63.3m in 2007 and £49.1m in 2006) in spite of falling revenue (click. At the beginning of July shareholders received a dividend of 39.12p per share, the highest dividend payout yet (click). I'm no financial expert but it appears to me that the company is in rude health, something that I am sure the half-year results will underline when they are published on 30th July. This is not a company that is struggling it's way through turbulent times, but simply one that wants to secure it's future profitability at any cost (though they can still find the money for the Chief Exec to write individually to every member of staff on what feels like a weekly basis).
It bares saying again that the issues at stake are not solely to do with money. The state of industrial relations has sunk to an all-time low. Unlike some of my colleagues who have no work experience outside the railways and, therefore, no concept of how the management of private companies tend to behave, I am pretty tolerant of a lot of things. However, even I have now been thoroughly alienated by some of the things that have been going on. Naturally I have to be a little bit careful about what I say publicly, but I have never experienced anything to compare to this in any other job.
I'm glad that you are pro-rail and I would never want to try and persuade anyone to be pro-union if they are not already so inclined. However, what I really want to try and convey is at least some kind of understanding about the issues behind the dispute. I'm not seeing this as any sort of debate to be won.
My contract of employment does indeed require me to be bound by the terms of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. This means I cannot say, do or take part in anything that might damage the company's business.
Besides, the ASLEF website contains links to company council newsletters, not minutes.
O L Leigh
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O L Leigh: I do know I have gone on about this rather too much (I really should shut up now!). Having worked for the railways myself, I do know just how idiotic *some* management are at totally demotivating staff - although this seems to be a British problem, I blame everything from the public school system to over centralisation. I'll resist relating exact stories, because its just not cricket or the done thing.
I'm actually very sympathetic to the notion companies should play for a rainy day, and it is totally unacceptable to start putting up fares in a recession and taking it out on staff. The railways are not the only ones that are guilty, far too many are saying throughout the economy, give us some money or the staff get it.
I do however feel very strongly, if there is a case to be made (such as its not all about pay) the unions should tread very carefully. The British public are quite fickle. While they are sympathetic to profiteers ripping the system off, they are equally cynical about unions and actually the railways themselves - some of it fair, some of it totally unfounded. Even some enthusiasts don't understand the railways as much as they think and are prone to repeating some of the great myths of which there are a great many as I'm sure you'll agree.
It's all a very toxic cocktail given some of the financial background and needs to be handled very carefully - because reading the press releases and information out there, I'm not sure it has been so far and its going to play right into the hands of the critics.
I'm actually very sympathetic to the notion companies should play for a rainy day, and it is totally unacceptable to start putting up fares in a recession and taking it out on staff. The railways are not the only ones that are guilty, far too many are saying throughout the economy, give us some money or the staff get it.
I do however feel very strongly, if there is a case to be made (such as its not all about pay) the unions should tread very carefully. The British public are quite fickle. While they are sympathetic to profiteers ripping the system off, they are equally cynical about unions and actually the railways themselves - some of it fair, some of it totally unfounded. Even some enthusiasts don't understand the railways as much as they think and are prone to repeating some of the great myths of which there are a great many as I'm sure you'll agree.
It's all a very toxic cocktail given some of the financial background and needs to be handled very carefully - because reading the press releases and information out there, I'm not sure it has been so far and its going to play right into the hands of the critics.
O L Leigh
Established Member
I'm not so sure that the public are fickle. In terms of rail transport at least there is one constant that the travelling public seem to abide by, and that is "thou shalt not inconvenience me". It doesn't matter what the reason is, be it a rolling stock or infrastructure failure, fatality or some other cause, God help you if it causes a delay or inconvenience.
That being the case, I don't think it matters so much how the unions proceed because the public won't be listening. All they will have in their minds is the company's line of "offering an above inflation increase" and "being open for meaningful talks" without understanding precisely what either of these phrases actually mean. Even if we explain these fully, the fact that we're standing outside on a picket line rather than being at work will be enough for a large proportion of people to condemn our actions.
While public support would be nice, this isn't a popularity contest. It's the company that needs to heed the message.
O L Leigh
That being the case, I don't think it matters so much how the unions proceed because the public won't be listening. All they will have in their minds is the company's line of "offering an above inflation increase" and "being open for meaningful talks" without understanding precisely what either of these phrases actually mean. Even if we explain these fully, the fact that we're standing outside on a picket line rather than being at work will be enough for a large proportion of people to condemn our actions.
While public support would be nice, this isn't a popularity contest. It's the company that needs to heed the message.
O L Leigh
Here Here
Lift organised for tomorrow, being healthy on Friday, and my season ticket expired Monday anyway, so I've just bought day returns (with 16-25 discount- thankyou summer holidays, this 26 yr old has found a use for you!) for this week.
Good luck getting somewhere with management.
Good luck getting somewhere with management.
O L Leigh
Established Member
Thanks for the messages of support. Lets hope the action, regrettable as it is, is enough to get the company's attention.
O L Leigh
O L Leigh
O L Leigh
Established Member
Sun-block would have been wasted. Lets just say I was just glad I had a thick jumper and an umbrella with me.
O L Leigh
O L Leigh
O L Leigh
Established Member
It's OK. Thanks for your concern. 
O L Leigh
O L Leigh
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