Temporary Timetable 13th Dec - 7th Jan

[mike57]

Perhaps you can point me towards the press releases or media quotes from RDG and DfT? Of course, there are none

Normally this doesn't stop the press from speculating, reading the same signs and hints as posters here, which make it pretty clear that no agreement = temporary timetable. I find it surprising, depending upon what you read/listen to take will be different, but either way I would have thought it was news worthy.

Surely the point of investigative journalism is to be able to take scant rumours and press their contacts for more information.

Newspapers have more freedom, but just dont seem interested in this one. This does not bode well for the railways, because the media consider them irrelevant maybe?

 

[yorksrob]

Normally this doesn't stop the press from speculating, reading the same signs and hints as posters here, which make it pretty clear that no agreement = temporary timetable. I find it surprising, depending upon what you read/listen to take will be different, but either way I would have thought it was news worthy.


Newspapers have more freedom, but just dont seem interested in this one. This does not bode well for the railways, because the media consider them irrelevant maybe?

Yes, that would be a worry - but then it hasn't stopped them reporting the strikes !

 

[zwk500]

Or put it another way, we're just a couple of chaps on an internet forum.

Surely the point of investigative journalism is to be able to take scant rumours and press their contacts for more information.

No, the point of investigative journalism is to avoid scant rumours, and instead piece together stories from other evidence. But this doesn't require proper investigative journalism, just a couple of rounds of questions.

I would like a journalist to send an email to their Network Rail contact and ask if there is any truth behind these twelve pages of forum postings.
Said contact then replies:
a. No comment
b, yes
C, no
If it's c, just spike it and move on to something else.
If it's a or b, it's a story. Possibly.
Anyone know any journalists?

We have seen before in incidents that journalists monitor these forums, so it's a fair bet the rail press are asking questions.

However, if journalists took a firm 'no' for an answer every time, we'd have a lot less stories! They also don't need anybody to say 'yes' to run with anything.

 

[Horizon22]

Normally this doesn't stop the press from speculating, reading the same signs and hints as posters here, which make it pretty clear that no agreement = temporary timetable. I find it surprising, depending upon what you read/listen to take will be different, but either way I would have thought it was news worthy.


Newspapers have more freedom, but just dont seem interested in this one. This does not bode well for the railways, because the media consider them irrelevant maybe?

For all we know, journalists could be reading these forums. This isn't the only industry in "crisis" either and transport news just doesn't tend to hit the same headlines as others considering most coverage is currently regarding the RMT rejection of the recent offer.

 

[yorksrob]

I imagine some journalist with a network rail big wig in a pub in Holborn having a quiet chat over a pint of ale and a scotch egg.

 

[nr758123]

I've said it before on a number of occasions, but this government is a pub covers band version of Thatcherism desperate for its Scargill moment.

A bass-playing friend of mine in a pub covers band is most upset at this comparison.

 

[Peregrine 4903]

Would anyone care to suggest what might happen on the Brighton Main Line if the RMT Network Rail overtime ban goes ahead? I'm hoping that it might not be as bad as only open 0600 to 1800. I need to plan for evening shifts etc.
Many thanks

Don't take 0600 to 1800 as gospel.

 

[Minstral25]

I think the government will see that view as an exaggeration.

For example, in central London, yes, some of the business will be lost from people who live further out but those who travel in by underground or bus will still be attending. There is nowhere where the ability of hospitality businesses to function is 100% dependant on the railway.

But it is not an exaggeration. I work with a lot of hospitality businesses, and they are really struggling even before these strikes anyway. Whilst not 100% dependant on Rail passengers, the few people who come in from further afield may be the difference between losses and profits. It is very finely balanced.

 

[DDB]

Any word yet from the RMT on the Network Rail offer? I feel like I'm waiting for the smoke to come out of the Vatican chimney....
(I'm assuming white for acceptance, black for rejection. Or should other colours be used? )

When I saw lots of posts in this thread I hoped there would be news! Is there any?

 

[Goldfish62]

When I saw lots of posts in this thread I hoped there would be news! Is there any?

I keep looking on Twitter, but nothing as yet has emerged.

 

[Jan Mayen]

When I saw lots of posts in this thread I hoped there would be news! Is there any?

No. Sadly.

 

[YorkshireBear]

When I saw lots of posts in this thread I hoped there would be news! Is there any?

TSSA described it positively by email. But only for consideration. No update yet.

 

[Roy Badami]

TSSA described it positively by email. But only for consideration. No update yet.

Would I be right in thinking that without the TSSA work-to-rule preventing managers from providing cover, the impact of the RMT overtime ban would be significantly less?

 

[Bald Rick]

Would I be right in thinking that without the TSSA work-to-rule preventing managers from providing cover, the impact of the RMT overtime ban would be significantly less?

TSSA Managers are not involved in the dispute.

 

[Roy Badami]

TSSA Managers are not involved in the dispute.

Ok, thanks.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Would I be right in thinking that without the TSSA work-to-rule preventing managers from providing cover, the impact of the RMT overtime ban would be significantly less?

Only TSSA band 5-8 and controllers in dispute.anagemt grades accepted pay offer a while back.

 

[Mathew S]

This does not bode well for the railways, because the media consider them irrelevant maybe?

Wouldn't say irrelevant, but certainly not in the top ten. Except strikes, strikes are good TV - lots of people with hi-vis and placards and plenty of inconvenienced passengers happy to be the voice of God.

I imagine some journalist with a network rail big wig in a pub in Holborn having a quiet chat over a pint of ale and a scotch egg.

I always preferred a Welsh cake, betraying my university roots.

Seriously though, the media aren't going to do anything with this* unless/until there's something more concrete. The only thing worse than being late with a story is being early, but wrong. A chat with someone from NR down the pub is all well and good, but so far nobody's presented any actual evidence of anything... ergo, no story.

Edit: by *this, I mean the potentially much reduced timetable.

 

[ainsworth74]

See here for discussion on today's RMT announcements regarding further Network Rail strikes and a suspension of the overtime/rest day working ban along with the e-ballot relating to the offer made by RDG/DfT to RMT members.

THis thread is for the discussion of a possible temporary timetable not the wider dispute itself. Thanks

 

[Bald Rick]

The RMT have cancelled their Rest Day / overtime ban on NR, but not TOCs (although they will take a decision on that tomorrow).

This means that the network will be fully open for the period 18-23 December and 28 Dec - 2 Jan (except where affected by engineering works), although what service is able to be operated in this network is being worked on now.

Basically, all the planning for this overtime / rest day ban period has just gone in the bin, back to square one. Thanks RMT!

 

[Kite159]

Good news that the possible reduced operating hours due to the signallers not doing overtime has been pushed back. I suspect for some operators it will still be limited service depending on how much overtime they require from guards to run a service, i.e. Northern.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Basically, all the planning for this overtime / rest day ban period has just gone in the bin, back to square one. Thanks RMT!

Well maybe depends on whether RMT call it off the TOCs as well though but i get your sentiments. Those teams must be all but burnt out now and whatever happens they need to be rested over Xmas.

 

[Peter Sarf]

When I saw lots of posts in this thread I hoped there would be news! Is there any?

I too was waiting to find out. Perhaps all the posts are confusing the real world out there (other people and jounalists). Wood for the trees etc.

The RMT have cancelled their Rest Day / overtime ban on NR, but not TOCs (although they will take a decision on that tomorrow).

This means that the network will be fully open for the period 18-23 December and 28 Dec - 2 Jan (except where affected by engineering works), although what service is able to be operated in this network is being worked on now.

Basically, all the planning for this overtime / rest day ban period has just gone in the bin, back to square one. Thanks RMT!

Well I hope they don't spring any other challenges on you. Its a bit early to wish you merry Christmas but I sincerely hope you have a boring new year for the best of reasons.

 

[Bald Rick]

It’s a bit early to wish you merry Christmas but I sincerely hope you have a boring new year for the best of reasons.

After today’s announcements, my Christmas is cancelled.

 

[43066]

Well I hope they don't spring any other challenges on you. Its a bit early to wish you merry Christmas but I sincerely hope you have a boring new year for the best of reasons.

I was about to second this.

After today’s announcements, my Christmas is cancelled.

Then saw this. I hope you manage to salvage at least some decent time off.

 

[Peter Sarf]

After today’s announcements, my Christmas is cancelled.

Ouch. A plethora of little changes each lasting a few days I suppose ?. Don't let it grind you down, your supposed to live beyond retirement. That's why I chickened out.

 

[Starmill]

Basically, all the planning for this overtime / rest day ban period has just gone in the bin, back to square one. Thanks RMT!

Did they even know that any planning was actually being done? No meaningful public announcements were made and I can't imagine this was raised during negotiations? Unless we're expecting the Executives to pour over this forum of course. Which I don't exclude as a possibility but...

 

[Peregrine 4903]

After today’s announcements, my Christmas is cancelled.

I really do hope things get better for you in terms of busyness and in general.

I really do appreciate all your doing for the industry and when things get better which eventually they will we can all sit there and be proud of how we navigated the industry through its most difficult period.

Mayhaps a drink when it's all over

 

[LowLevel]

After today’s announcements, my Christmas is cancelled.

Hopefully following our earlier conversations you will know this is sincere from me despite our differing worlds - hoping you can salvage what you can and we are all part of the same family, even if it is a hugely dysfunctional one at the minute. Take it easy (or as easy as you can). It's a horrid dirty game at the minute and there are large numbers of people caught in the crossfire.

 

[Starmill]

After today’s announcements, my Christmas is cancelled.

Is this a hint that there's a deeper plan in play here given this form of action generally isn't notifiable (for example, announcing the overtime ban, then announcing cancellation, then undertaking one anyway)? Or more just general frustration and exhaustion at long hours and very tough circumstances?

 

[Bald Rick]

Did they even know that any planning was actually being done? No meaningful public announcements were made and I can't imagine this was raised during negotiations? Unless we're expecting the Executives to pour over this forum of course. Which I don't exclude as a possibility but...

Yes they were specifically told that the planning was being done.