Rail strikes

Matesrates

Well-known member
Looks like both sides are entrenched in their views, and we’re now looking at a possible summer of discontent followed by possibly teacher and NHS strike action.

As if we haven’t got enough pressure on the cost of living, this is going to put more pressure on prices with many businesses losing billions due to strikes.

What I don’t understand is what their beef is, other than inflation forecast to reach 11% this year, which affects us all. Train drivers get a median wage of just under £60k (probably fair given the responsibility) and ticket collectors, guards and info staff get an average of £33,310, hardly on the breadline, and more than nurses get.
 
I've got some sympathy for NHS workers but the teachers really are taking the piss, having a huge hand in driving the cost of living crisis through kicking up a stink and downing tools on and off for the last two years.

Fair play to those that grafted through but Cat for example was agitating on here most days even calling for more lockdowns last summer/autumn/winter, as were many on the left 👎🏻
 
I've got some sympathy for NHS workers but the teachers really are taking the piss, having a huge hand in driving the cost of living crisis through kicking up a stink and downing tools on and off for the last two years.

Fair play to those that grafted through but Cat for example was agitating on here most days even calling for more lockdowns last summer/autumn/winter, as were many on the left 👎🏻
Cat was excellent at agitating people so much on here that many voted Conservative for the first time at the last GE just to piss off the cretin.🤣😜🇬🇧
 
Looks like both sides are entrenched in their views, and we’re now looking at a possible summer of discontent followed by possibly teacher and NHS strike action.

As if we haven’t got enough pressure on the cost of living, this is going to put more pressure on prices with many businesses losing billions due to strikes.

What I don’t understand is what their beef is, other than inflation forecast to reach 11% this year, which affects us all. Train drivers get a median wage of just under £60k (probably fair given the responsibility) and ticket collectors, guards and info staff get an average of £33,310, hardly on the breadline, and more than nurses get.
Inflation currently running at 11% (a ten year high) prices for gas/electricity at an all time high, prices at the petrol pumps at an all time high, the weekly shop has risen between 10%-15% in the last 6 months yet many people especially in the public sector haven’t had a pay rise in 3 years.
The Government need to understand not everyone is on a MP’s salary of 84k or indeed had a £2,200 pay rise.
 
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Inflation currently running at 11% (a ten year high) prices for gas/electricity at an all time high, prices at the petrol pumps at an all time high, the weekly shop has risen between 10%-15% in the last 6 months yet many people especially in the public sector haven’t had a pay rise in 3 years.
The Government need to understand not everyone is on a MP’s salary of 84k or indeed had a £2,200 pay rise.
Excthat rail workers are not public employees
 
Average salaries….

£58k Train Driver
£41k Average person on the railways
£31k Nurse

Automate the railways, sack as many as you can and use the money saved to pay nurses more 👍
The vast majority of RMT members on the railways are ticket office staff, cleaners, canteen staff and conducters. Their average wage is low- not your £41k.The train drivers are more likely to be members of ASLEF, who aren't on strike.
 
The vast majority of RMT members on the railways are ticket office staff, cleaners, canteen staff and conducters. Their average wage is low- not your £41k.The train drivers are more likely to be members of ASLEF, who aren't on strike.

Ticket office staff should be more worried about the future than most - as it appears they are going to be replaced by tech in the next year ish.

I would still automate all railways over time, far better, cheaper and from what I have seen and researched - safer.

I would start with TFL!
 
Looks like both sides are entrenched in their views, and we’re now looking at a possible summer of discontent followed by possibly teacher and NHS strike action.

As if we haven’t got enough pressure on the cost of living, this is going to put more pressure on prices with many businesses losing billions due to strikes.

What I don’t understand is what their beef is, other than inflation forecast to reach 11% this year, which affects us all. Train drivers get a median wage of just under £60k (probably fair given the responsibility) and ticket collectors, guards and info staff get an average of £33,310, hardly on the breadline, and more than nurses get.
The median wage for a train driver is not £61k and in any case, it's largely not the drivers who are on strike.

The source of the problem is the government’s decision to slash rail funding by £4bn. The government had cut £2bn from the national railway, and £2bn from Transport for London. That was forcing the industry to implement transport austerity. Proposed pay rises on the railways are actually massively under the rates of inflation.ompanies wanted to cut thousands of jobs, and had failed to give any guarantee against compulsory redandancies.

The RMT has a number of legitimate concerns because the Government cuts have caused the employers to attack the railway and TfL pension schemes. Staff will have to work longer for reduced benefits.

Also, safety inspections on infrastructure are being cut by up to 50%. That is the equivalent of the jobs of 3,000 track workers

The Union General Secretary has also said that a form of “fire and rehire” was being used. Existing salaries were being cut, and staff were being asked to work longer hours.
 
Ticket office staff should be more worried about the future than most - as it appears they are going to be replaced by tech in the next year ish.

I would still automate all railways over time, far better, cheaper and from what I have seen and researched - safer.

I would start with TFL!
So, in that situation it is only right that the workers turn to their Union for help. It is then right that the unions help their members.
 
So, in that situation it is only right that the workers turn to their Union for help. It is then right that the unions help their members.
Let them go on strike, tech will replace them - although I wish they wouldn’t go on strike.

Reality is we are in the midst of a digital revolution.

It’s a bit like sending kids up chimneys and kids down the mine - or even working in a cotton mill - the World moves on.

The reality is those jobs are going whether it is today or tomorrow.

Unions tend to try and hang onto the past and stop change - the reality is the World does not work that way.

So of course they can ask their Unions for help, but it will still end the same way.
 
Let them go on strike, tech will replace them - although I wish they wouldn’t.

Reality is we are in the midst of a digital revolution.

It’s a bit like sending kids up chimneys and kids down the mine - or even working in a cotton mill - the World moves on.

The reality is those jobs are going whether it is today or tomorrow.

Unions tend to try and hang onto the past and stop change - the reality is the World does not work that way.

So of course they can ask their Unions for help, but it will still end the same way.
Piss poor reply. I'm with the workers who want to protect their jobs. When it comes to managing technogical change the management need to work with the workers. You will come back and say that they don't. You will be wrong on that too.
 
The median wage for a train driver is not £61k and in any case, it's largely not the drivers who are on strike.

The source of the problem is the government’s decision to slash rail funding by £4bn. The government had cut £2bn from the national railway, and £2bn from Transport for London. That was forcing the industry to implement transport austerity. Proposed pay rises on the railways are actually massively under the rates of inflation.ompanies wanted to cut thousands of jobs, and had failed to give any guarantee against compulsory redandancies.

The RMT has a number of legitimate concerns because the Government cuts have caused the employers to attack the railway and TfL pension schemes. Staff will have to work longer for reduced benefits.

Also, safety inspections on infrastructure are being cut by up to 50%. That is the equivalent of the jobs of 3,000 track workers

The Union General Secretary has also said that a form of “fire and rehire” was being used. Existing salaries were being cut, and staff were being asked to work longer hours.
Ah bless, poor things, up until November I worked in a bank as a customer service advisor, I was responsible for peoples money, sorting out fraud, dealing with bereavements, power of attorney and many other sensitive issues. My salary was £18,600 full time, so forgive me if I have no sympathy for ticket inspectors on £33k
 
Piss poor reply. I'm with the workers who want to protect their jobs. When it comes to managing technogical change the management need to work with the workers. You will come back and say that they don't. You will be wrong on that too.
In your opinion it’s a poor reply.

The world moves on, most unions do not.

Please give me an example of ANY Union promoting tech when it is to replace jobs??

You might not like it, but the World changes.

Sooner they replace as many people as possible on the railway with automation the sooner they cannot hold people to ransom.
 
Ah bless, poor things, up until November I worked in a bank as a customer service advisor, I was responsible for peoples money, sorting out fraud, dealing with bereavements, power of attorney and many other sensitive issues. My salary was £18,600 full time, so forgive me if I have no sympathy for ticket inspectors on £33k
You don't know that they are on £33k. Don't fall for thisTory divide and rule stuff. I'm happy for whatever workers can achieve salary-wise. It's not a worker-on-worker fight to the death.
 
In your opinion it’s a poor reply.

The world moves on, most unions do not.

Please give me an example of ANY Union promoting tech when it is to replace jobs??

You might not like it, but the World changes.

Sooner they replace as many people as possible on the railway with automation the sooner they cannot hold people to ransom.
You are an arch individualist whose self-interest takes you way from your country if it doesn't suit you.

Soz, no offence.
 
Yes, let's blame those wanting a pay rise less than inflation, ie a pay cut, rather than targeting our ire at those who have had huge rises in pay and capital, the billionaires, the bankers, the MPs. Classic right wing misdirection. Tell me how much extra the Oil companies have made this year, for no effort. It should not be rail workers versus bank workers versus nurses, it should be the low paid against the super paid.
 
You are an arch individualist whose self-interest takes you way from your country if it doesn't suit you.

Soz, no offence.
Just a realist!!

The railways have been supported through Covid by about £1000 per household and the majority probably don’t ever use it - well not to that level anyway!

Passengers are massively down and obviously fares are - but still the Unions are asking for huge increases.

I think they are taking the …..

Whatever you think - the majority of the railway employees will be replaced by tech.

- it’s not if, it’s when!
 
There was a cartoon in The Times over the weekend of a train arriving at a station with the driver saying 'UP THE WORKERS', meanwhile the platform was crowded with doctors, nurse, road sweepers, firemen etc etc replying 'WE ARE THE WORKERS'.
 
Just a realist!!

The railways have been supported through Covid by about £1000 per household and the majority probably don’t ever use it - well not to that level anyway!

Passengers are massively down and obviously fares are - but still the Unions are asking for huge increases.

I think they are taking the …..

Whatever you think - the majority of the railway employees will be replaced by tech.

- it’s not if, it’s when!
But this Government has reduced investment in the nation railways by £2bn and TfL by £2bn. That's not investing in future technologies. That's hurting staff wages, staff pensions and health and safety.

Of course technology needs to move forwards and the TUC has people at the centre of that discussion: in Steel, utities, rail, geo-domestic development (shops) and other areas. It helps if management and workers look in the same direction. Here, the management is talking to the RMT but the paymasters - Government - won't. It's pathetic and it's political.
 
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But this Government has reduced investment in the nation railways by £2bn and TfL by £2bn. That's not investing in future technologies. That's hurting staff wages, staff pensions and health and safety.

Of course technology needs to move forwards and the TUC has people at the centre of that discussion: in Steel, utities, rail, geo-domestic development (shops) and other areas. It helps if management and workers look in the same direction. Here, the management is talking to the RMT but the psymasters - Government - won't. It's pathetic and it's political.
After putting in £26 Billion to support them during Covid.

What’s pathetic and political is the RMT!

Still waiting for the example of a Union supporting tech to replace people????
 
All of whom demand and deserve proper wages.
And if they get the roses, that increases the pressure on prices and inflation, it’s a vicious circle. I don’t know the answer, but some new guy who is looking into it for the government, has said companies need to reduce prices by cutting costs for marketing etc. not a bad idea, some companies spend huge sums on vanity adverts.
 
After putting in £26 Billion to support them during Covid.

What’s pathetic and political is the RMT!

Still waiting for the example of a Union supporting tech to replace people????
The £26bn was to protect people day-to-day. IT was to maintain running costs, as you very well know. What the railways need is capital investment and that needs management and workers to discuss the way forward.
Sorry One a bit of straw-clutching on your part here.
 
And if they get the roses, that increases the pressure on prices and inflation, it’s a vicious circle. I don’t know the answer, but some new guy who is looking into it for the government, has said companies need to reduce prices by cutting costs for marketing etc. not a bad idea, some companies spend huge sums on vanity adverts.
The viscious circle was 1970s inflation. What's happening now is more like stagflation. Spending is not going through the roof. However I do like your bit about companies massively reducing marketing costs.
 
I think there may be trouble ahead. Lady on the radio today talking about teachers looking at a possible 11% pay rise demand. Then the NHS. Challenging times looming.
 
The £26bn was to protect people day-to-day. IT was to maintain running costs, as you very well know. What the railways need is capital investment and that needs management and workers to discuss the way forward.
Sorry One a bit of straw-clutching on your part here.
Not clutching at any straws, they had massive capital investment.

The Union are NOT campaigning on capital investment although it does get mentioned.

It’s about salary increases and job losses because of ‘safety’.

Anyway….

Still waiting for the example of a Union supporting tech to replace people????

….or are you just going to ignore it 👎
 
I actually do because before I got the job in the bank I applied for a job on the railways, I was staggered at the salary.
And, if that's the case, you can hardly complain can you? You applied for the job, didn't get it for whatever reason, somebody else did. That's life. Accept it. Wages are predominantly offered based on supply and demand. If you had the right skill set, maybe you could have got that "massive" salary"? Otoh, if you had the skill set of say, Ronaldo...just imagine 😆
Looking at the wages you think somebody else earns compared to yourself is a simplistic and pointless exercise. Nearly everybody thinks they should be paid more. If a person doesn't like what they are currently doing, they need to stop whinging and look at how to change that situation.
 
And, if that's the case, you can hardly complain can you? You applied for the job, didn't get it for whatever reason, somebody else did. That's life. Accept it. Wages are predominantly offered based on supply and demand. If you had the right skill set, maybe you could have got that "massive" salary"? Otoh, if you had the skill set of say, Ronaldo...just imagine 😆
Looking at the wages you think somebody else earns compared to yourself is a simplistic and pointless exercise. Nearly everybody thinks they should be paid more. If a person doesn't like what they are currently doing, they need to stop whinging and look at how to change that situation.
Nobody, nobody had a better skill set than me, although they won‘t admit it, my age was the issue, and I’m not whinging, I accept that age is a barrier.
 
Not clutching at any straws, they had massive capital investment.

The Union are NOT campaigning on capital investment although it does get mentioned.

It’s about salary increases and job losses because of ‘safety’.

Anyway….

Still waiting for the example of a Union supporting tech to replace people????

….or are you just going to ignore it 👎
Not playing your game mate. Tech needs to be managed inward whilst people are more important. Or, is tech at the expense of people and communities what really drives you? Sad if it is.
 
Not clutching at any straws, they had massive capital investment.

The Union are NOT campaigning on capital investment although it does get mentioned.

It’s about salary increases and job losses because of ‘safety’.

Anyway….

Still waiting for the example of a Union supporting tech to replace people????

….or are you just going to ignore it 👎
Not playing your game mate. Tech needs to be managed inward whilst people are more important. Or, is tech at the expense of people and communities what really drives eyou? Sad if it is.
 
Not playing your game mate. Tech needs to be managed inward whilst people are more important. Or, is tech at the expense of people and communities what really drives eyou? Sad if it is.
It’s not a game though is it …. Peoples lives are being screwed up this week because of the new NUM!

The reality is you know the answer as Unions are stuck in the past.

…and you can’t admit it however true it is, because once you do, you have shown the RMT to be what they are 👎

If I am wrong - prove it by showing a Union who are happy to let tech replace staff 👍
 
The cost of living crisis is affecting everybody, we are all finding it harder to make ends meet. The RMT calling their members out on strike is, without doubt, going to make things a dam site worse for millions of people. Compared to some people, rail workers are poorly paid ... to others very well payed ... the longer the dispute... the less the public will have sympathy. My concerns are, it could work in the governments favour with those blue tinged floating voters reverting to type...I’ll be watching Labours handling of this closely.
 
I think there may be trouble ahead. Lady on the radio today talking about teachers looking at a possible 11% pay rise demand. Then the NHS. Challenging times looming.
Yep.

Wage inflation would be a massive problem.

But you can't blame them when they see billions of profits with energy companies, government taking the piss about rules and generally being pooped on from a very high place.

Big problem for me is those that don't have a voice. They are likely to fall further behind and don't have a voice.
 
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