Virgin catering staff set to strike

[bengolding]

I was told this from on a First Class host earlier. Apparently, Virgin Trains want to cut about 70 catering positions, and the 700 or so catering staff are now set to strike after a ballot result.

Compared to other long distance operators, the Pendolinos at least have plenty of, perhaps too many, catering staff - usually at least 3-4 in First, even on off peak trains when there are only a handful sat in First Class.

Off the record, I was also told that VT First Class peak time loadings are dire as many companies have now chosen to decamp to Standard rather than pay for First Anytime tickets.

 

[Greenback]

Surely decamping to Standard is a sign that the First Anytime fares are far too high, and TOC's should lower their Anytime fares (both First and Standard)!

All travellers have been treated as cash cows for far too long, particularly business trtavellers (I am not one by the way!). Maybe now the chickens are coming home to roost?!

 

[route:oxford]

Compared to other long distance operators, the Pendolinos at least have plenty of, perhaps too many, catering staff - usually at least 3-4 in First, even on off peak trains when there are only a handful sat in First Class.

Trouble is the catering staff will perhaps do a 3 hour shift on say a peak run into London, take a half hour break in Euston, then do an off peak shift back to Preston. Cutting off peak staff will automatically reduce the number of staff in "peak" - unless they are being offered a reduced wage to do nothing on the way "home"

Off the record, I was also told that VT First Class peak time loadings are dire as many companies have now chosen to decamp to Standard rather than pay for First Anytime tickets.

It's not so much companies being unwilling to pay for First Anytime, more that companies are unwilling to be *seen* to pay for a First ticket of any value.

Payments are being made for photos of any kind of "fat-cat" being seen in luxury. Last Winterval, in Edinburgh, journalists were offering cash to waiters and waitresses for pictures of bank cashiers enjoying a Christmas night out - the journalists got the story, but it backfired on the restaurants, hotets and taxi companies and their staff when the cashier/customer service staff cancelled their plans for a night out for fear of being seen in a tabloid...

So when you read about job losses... Blame the journalists.

 

[krus_aragon]

All travellers have been treated as cash cows for far too long, particularly business trtavellers (I am not one by the way!). Maybe now the chickens are coming home to roost?!

Pigs might fly! :P

 

[generalvegitable]

well if they do get rid of all catering on their trains the food will be alot better

 

[williamn]

well if they do get rid of all catering on their trains the food will be alot better

What? I've enjoyed several great breakfasts on Virgin, and included in the 1st price, more than many other operators.

 

[Skie]

Virgins FC food is quite excellent. They just need to come round with the drinks trolley more often!

 

[MKB]

I travel weekly on Virgin in first class and loads have been dire in that class -- often < 10% capacity -- since VHF came in last December. This should hardly be a surprise though.

- VHF meant that significant numbers of passengers from Watford Junction, Rugby, Nuneaton and Tamworth and those changing at those points were forced to decamp to other TOCs or their car.
- VHF increased capacity by up to 50% on some routes.
- Fares have gone up in real terms.
- There's a recession on so total first class demand is likely to have fallen, which coupled with increased capacity, makes for appalling loads.

Loads on the WCML in standard have also been dreadful on a number of trains I've been on. I don't think I've seen a full Pendolino at any point during 2009.

I still haven't quite fathomed why the Virgin crews go round setting paper mats, cutlery, glass and side plates at the majority of first class tables at the start of each journey, only to collect them in again, unused at the end. Given how few people are travelling, surely it would be simpler to set places as they are needed.