Current Affairs Rail strikes

[edge]

Always puzzled me the attack on pay these jobs are open for all to apply of course regarded as working class.... I'm sure being an academic does not exclude anyone working on Railways or other and being RMT member and enjoying this wage and pension. Politics of jealousy is the politics of the Tory.

There has been a shortage of drivers on the rail every single year I have been on.
The wages were really poor on BR but there was always overtime to make it up, still is most of the time, it was steady and you had a decent pension ,before John major allowed it to be raped by the private companies, dont forget that was a bakance for poor pay it was sold to you as a reason to join
and if you were inclined there was a structure to go through the ranks, I have never been interested myself, always doing something else outside of work, did care work for two years, , worked on various building sites with my brother, did a teaching assistant course at the local school ect.
About 15 years a go , they brought in new technology and practices, you know the things we are getting accused of not being open for these days and the money went up to a decent enough wage.
Merseyrail got restructured, and did new practices ect and sold there terms and conditions, and accepted a new shift pattern over a six day week, it gave them a supposed better salary.
In reality I have earned more than them every year since
It didn't suit me so I jumped ship.
There has never been a period other than a couple of months every so often than there wasn't jobs available, there will be hundred of drivers jobs coming onto the market soon if anybody is intrested, you don't have to be working class to apply
It not the job for everyone looks good till your doing it but still it's out there if you want to give it a go.
I wouldn't advise it anymore to be honest

 

[edge]

Airport staff now voted to go on strike...

Don't blame them .
They took a pay cut two years ago of 10% , now with inflation they are expected to do the same job for a quarter less or more in real terms.
Lots more to come in the next month or two.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

There has been a shortage of drivers on the rail every single year I have been on.
The wages were really poor on BR but there was always overtime to make it up, still is most of the time, it was steady and you had a decent pension ,before John major allowed it to be raped by the private companies, dont forget that was a bakance for poor pay it was sold to you as a reason to join
and if you were inclined there was a structure to go through the ranks, I have never been interested myself, always doing something else outside of work, did care work for two years, , worked on various building sites with my brother, did a teaching assistant course at the local school ect.
About 15 years a go , they brought in new technology and practices, you know the things we are getting accused of not being open for these days and the money went up to a decent enough wage.
Merseyrail got restructured, and did new practices ect and sold there terms and conditions, and accepted a new shift pattern over a six day week, it gave them a supposed better salary.
In reality I have earned more than them every year since
It didn't suit me so I jumped ship.
There has never been a period other than a couple of months every so often than there wasn't jobs available, there will be hundred of drivers jobs coming onto the market soon if anybody is intrested, you don't have to be working class to apply
It not the job for everyone looks good till your doing it but still it's out there if you want to give it a go.
I wouldn't advise it anymore to be honest

Strange the Barrister strike action has not had the pointed debate about their pay and pension as RMT workers have had. Not so easy to vilify an fully academic profession. Bullies come in all disguises.

 

[dublinbluenose]

This would be a good hit piece if Glastonbury hadnt lost its railway station over half a century ago

Glastonbury Festival: Rail strike fails to halt many music fans
By Steffan Powell
Entertainment reporter

Glastonbury Festival: Rail strike fails to halt many music fans

With half the rail network closed, travellers from Paddington Station were pleasantly surprised.

www.bbc.com

 

[roydo]

This would be a good hit piece if Glastonbury hadnt lost its railway station over half a century ago

Glastonbury Festival: Rail strike fails to halt many music fans

With half the rail network closed, travellers from Paddington Station were pleasantly surprised.

www.bbc.com

For years, the rail route to Glasto has been to Bristol, then onto Weston Super Mare, then coaches onto the festival site. Or as near as they can. The whole infrastructure around the festival, (food, security, transport etc etc) is a pretty well rehearsed operation.

 

[edge]

Strange the Barrister strike action has not had the pointed debate about their pay and pension as RMT workers have had. Not so easy to vilify an fully academic profession. Bullies come in all disguises.

They want 25% have been offered 11% .
Sounds good but the new rate is only available for new work, there is currently a bank of 3yrs worth to get through
hence no pay rise for three years.
More bullshite for this shower.
If you actually look into what they are striking for they have my full support.
Saying that I can't think of anybody i don't support for sticking up for themselves these days.
As you say nobody is demonising them as greedy commies.

 

[woomy]

Always puzzled me the attack on pay these jobs are open for all to apply of course regarded as working class.... I'm sure being an academic does not exclude anyone working on Railways or other and being RMT member and enjoying this wage and pension. Politics of jealousy is the politics of the Tory.

Absolutely. You can literally go into the NHS, no matter what your background and experience and get a job doing something. You would have to be some kind of special to not get hired for sommat.
If you want 15% employer pension contributions, unsocial hours wage enhancement, 7 week's holiday etc etc. Get up and go get it. Don't put people down for asking for it, just cause you don't have it, or got the guts to ask for it.
I am a firm believer, ask for what you want. Because somebody else certainly will. For me there is no room for anybody accepting sub standard pay and conditions. Fight for better. Their are jobs out there, with acceptable conditions and benefits. Go apply.

And fair at to anybody who strikes,.for not wanting to accept poor standards of remuneration

 

[LostLegend]

I've said this before. but we'll be seeing a lot of strike action from various sectors over the coming months.
My mate is a engineer for BT and has been keeping me up to date on their action as it is very similar to what's happening at my workplace.

Both worked through the pandemic, had all the senior management out at the beginning of the year thanking the staff for their 'efforts' and that we've smashed all targets/exceeded their profit expectations etc. Awarded snr management heft bonuses whilst offering the workers themselves either a paltry increase, or in the case of BT, started their pay negotiations at 0% !!!

As far as my workplace goes, out strike action is on hold atm as the union have actually made some headway, but not everyone is so fortunate.

We are seeing what's happening now with the Rail strikes, what's lined up for airport staff, this potential action from BT workers and that's probably just the tip of the iceberg across the country.

I think people are really getting to the end of their tether with the rife greed amongst the rich in this country whilst the workers continue to struggle.

 

[Del-boy]

Our trains and utilities basically pay the pension funds for people in other European countries. Particularly the Dutch. Our prices for transport are ridiculous compared to the continent, and their pension funds are all over it.
We are paid less, and work longer for people in Europe to be paid more and retire earlier.
Been going on for decades.

 

[Blue 1]

For years, the rail route to Glasto has been to Bristol, then onto Weston Super Mare, then coaches onto the festival site. Or as near as they can. The whole infrastructure around the festival, (food, security, transport etc etc) is a pretty well rehearsed operation.

Castle Cary not WSM.

 

[Connor]

Airport staff now voted to go on strike...

*Bangs table*

General Strike! General strike!

 

[Diogenes the Cynic]

For years, the rail route to Glasto has been to Bristol, then onto Weston Super Mare, then coaches onto the festival site. Or as near as they can. The whole infrastructure around the festival, (food, security, transport etc etc) is a pretty well rehearsed operation.

Love Glastonbury, I'm there all the time.

Not during that festival nonsense obviously.

You can get a straight bus Bristol to Glastonbury going through Wells if anyone is planning to go, bus stops right outside Temple Meads.

 

[dublinbluenose]

Our trains and utilities basically pay the pension funds for people in other European countries. Particularly the Dutch. Our prices for transport are ridiculous compared to the continent, and their pension funds are all over it.
We are paid less, and work longer for people in Europe to be paid more and retire earlier.
Been going on for decades.

They're choices made when Goverment privatise state assets. Canadian real estate investment firms have been buying up huge sections of the rental market in Ireland because government policy is to not build social and affordable housing and let the market provide it. We've currently a housing crisis verging on disaster because of it.

We sold our state lottery a few years ago for €500m to the Canadian teachers pension fund. Utter madness.

 

[edge]

Government in grave danger of over playing it hand with the unions now.
Every day yet another one balloting.
Only problem for us rail workers is they will try and make an example of us to try and quell the unrest
Bring it on you tory bastards .
Power to the people

 

[mahermi1]

Don't blame them .
They took a pay cut two years ago of 10% , now with inflation they are expected to do the same job for a quarter less or more in real terms.
Lots more to come in the next month or two.

Yet I bet they will be made out to be the Panto villians, by the Media led by their friends the tories.
Btw good to see Mick Lynch making mincemeat out of the media by straight talking and honesty, something the media and our Tory mates can't get used to.