Meanwhile, the Southern Rail Industrial Dispute...

Two days ago, rail workers from the RMT union (more stoppage days coming up in May!), commuters' representatives and disability campaigners held a protest outside the Houses of Parliament; see BBC Report. This marked the anniversary of 2 years of industrial action and campaigning against Southern Railway wanting trains staffed only by drivers, and at the behest of the Department of Transport!

Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has slammed the "broken model of rail franchising" lauded by the Government and the Transport Minister, Chris Grayling! The PAC Report slams the Government's (mis) management of two of the rail franchises, our very own Govia Thameslink franchise running Southern (and Thameslink and Great Northern) and the privatised, renationalised because it was failing and then making money whilst nationalised, then sold off and now failing again under the franchise system, the East Coast franchise! 

The Chair of the PAC, Meg Hillier said "the Government appears to have seen its task as simply to contract out the service, with wholly inadequate consideration given to passengers' best interests... The franchising model is broken and passengers are paying the price." See the PAC Report at the Parliament website for more.

Couldn't agree more Meg, amen to that!

New Year Rail Conflict - No change there!

The Southern Rail dispute which I've been writing about since April 2016 continues, despite the drivers union Aslef accepting a 28.5% pay increase over 5 years. Indeed, the conductors union RMT, continues to campaign for safety on railways, even though the drivers' belief in safety suddenly dissolved when offered the above what most of us will get pay rise! Anyway, there is a strike this Monday the 8th of January 2018, but on the company website, it appears to show that Hastings services will run as per the rewritten time-table, though people living in Brighton may have problems. As usual, take the advice carefully, I won't be using Southern this Monday, South Eastern if necessary. In addition, there is industrial action by RMT throughout the country!

By the way, money given to Govia Thamelink, who own the Southern franchise, and the South Eastern franchise by the way, is going to France as they are 35% owned by the French company Keolis; which means that taxpayers' money pumped into Southern by the Government to beat British trade unions into accepting driver-only trains, is going to help fund rail services in France, just saying...

Oh yes, and when the Govia Thameslink franchise comes up for renewal in 2021, the franchise is to be broken up, that'll help Southern, no doubt!

Southern Rail, and the Farce Goes on!

Well, the last 2 days strike by RMT union conductors is over, don't hold your breath, and you've probably already seen the drivers (Aslef union) have accepted a 28.5% pay deal, to be paid over 5 years (BBC website), that appears to include the aim of having a second 'safety-trained' person on board all trains, 'except in exceptional circumstances' - as in, when one is not available! However, trains will still be able to run with only a driver on board, except no-one else will be on board to supervise safety, eg evacuation procedures, indeed, the train will have no facility to assist disabled or older people requiring assistance, so they may well be left stranded on station platforms...

I think we haven't seen the last of this incompetent shower as we return to the inefficient rail service that Southern has provided over recent years, which, in reality, has continued even on non-strike days, and who hasn't been left stranded at Eastbourne late at night with no trains or replacement bus service available, I know I have!

Time to re-nationalise the railways, pretty please!

Rail Strikes, for a change...

So, after a whiff of a settlement the conductors of Southern Railway (RMT union) are going on strike for two days this week: tomorrow, Tuesday 3rd, and on Thursday 5th. For Hastings, it looks like the Ashford (laughingly called) 'service' will be hit the most. Of course, there may be a knock on effect on Wednesday and Friday too, but fingers crossed not... For more information and travel advice go to the company's website.

I may not be able to make the Hastings Rail Summit on Friday, it depends on where it will be held, but I shall do my best...

And yet more rail chaos coming! Hmmm...

Do you want to catch one of these trains on either the 3rd or 5th of October 2017? Well, you may not be able too, because, have a guess what?!? Yep, conductors, supported by the RMT union, are going on strike again... Why? Because they believe that trains, including 8 and 12 carriage trains, should have more than just one member of staff on board, and Southern Railway, ie the franchise owned by Govia Thameslink, think they only need one member of staff on board, and they are supported by the Government, and by taxpayers' money which funds the Government's battle against the unions (including the drivers' union Aslef)! More at this website.

Dear oh dear, when will we get a decent rail service?

Southern Railway: Industrial Action Today Reminder!

As I said on Friday, here's another reminder that Southern Railway conductors (RMT union) are striking today, so don't be surprised by industrial action; see the Southern Railway website for advice if you do need to use their services today.

Southern Railway Strike today and on Monday

RMT union Conductors are walking out on strike again today, Friday 1st September, and on Monday 4th September, in their long dispute (I've written many blogs over the past year plus!) with Southern Railway/Govia Thameslink. For details of alternative travel arrangements organised by Southern, who believe most trains on their rearranged timetable will be running, can be found at their website.

Incidentally, there are similar strikes with Arriva Rail North and Merseyrail too.

Southern Rail? Yes, more strikes planned!

Conductors on Southern Railway, as well as on Arriva Rail North and Merseyrail, are planning to strike on Friday the 1st and Monday the 4th of September (Merseyrail workers will also be walking out on Sunday the 3rd of September).

The action still relates to planned changes to give drivers more responsibility, opening and closing the doors of train carriages, with some services staffed only by a sole member of staff, the driver, as Southern and their Govia Thameslink owners, seek to gradually dispense of guards on trains. 

The RMT general secretary Mick Cash asserts that the conductors' union, the RMT, is "bitterly disappointed that Southern Rail have rejected our call for round-table discussions involving all parties with an interest in resolving this dispute. The failure to get those talks moving following our face-to-face meeting with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has left us no option but to call further action." 

Southern Rail have, apparently, made no comment on the announcement, and no notice of these days of industrial action is mentioned on their website to date. Meanwhile, there is no obvious news of the train drivers' union, Aslef, returning to industrial action, yet... See BBC website.

Will we ever get a decent service from Hastings? 

Southern Railway: Good News?!?

The three strike days at the beginning of August planned by Aslef, and their 'work to rule', and the RMT's one planned strike day, have all been called off following "constructive talks" with the Government! I've regularly said that the Southern Railway industrial action is all about political interference by the Government and it's taken over a year for this to be potentially sorted out, by the Government, maybe... See, for example, my latest blog on the subject.

Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling MP, said "We're doing everything we can to resolve the situation... and get passengers the high quality rail services that they deserve." Whilst Aslef appear less positive, though did say the talks were "proactive" and that "Further talks are planned with both the company (Govia/Southern) and then the minister." So, 'monkey' first, and then talk to the 'organ grinder.' See BBC. 

I'd suggest, wait and see...

Added since, now the RMT have "full and frank" talks, their general secretary, Mick Cash stating that the Transport Secretary has a "clear understanding of the RMT position, Grayling said "We want more people helping passengers... not fewer." For more information see BBC.

The Southern Railway Fiasco Trundles On!

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that the owners of Southern Railway, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), have been fined £13.4m for poor performance, explaining that the fine would have been higher, but most delays had not been the fault of the railway company! The transport secretary, Chris Grayling said that the £13.4m was to be spent on performance and passenger improvements, including £4m to fund 50 on-board supervisors over the next two years, adding that passengers had "been badly let down." Indeed, the train operator now runs only three-quarters of the trains that were run a year ago by Southern!

The Association of British Commuters (ABC) had taken legal action seeking a judicial review, as detailed in a previous blog. They had argued that ministers had acted unlawfully by failing to determine whether managers had breached franchise obligations. However, Mr Justice Ouseley said he would not grant a judicial review on the understanding that Mr Grayling would come to a decision over the Southern rail crisis by 13 July, well, he's come to a decision! Emily Yates, of ABC, said the fine "doesn't really touch the sides of this whole issue. This is a token £13.4m fine presented as an improvement package." See report.

However, the drivers' union, Aslef, continues with its own 'work to rule' or overtime ban, and, following a vote of all members, has called for strikes on Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd, and Friday 4th of August 2017; see report. 

So, the Government, which has been funding Southern/GTR's escalating industrial conflict with the drivers' and conductors' unions, Aslef and the RMT, 'fines' the company, but gives the money back to them for 'performance and passenger improvements.' No solution has been found to ABC's assertion that the company has continued to 'breach franchise obligations' and Grayling retains his job, as do GTR retain the franchise. Meanwhile, customers who use Southern Railway, when possible, continue to receive a worsening service...

It's time to sack the Transport Secretary, who obviously cannot do his job without politically interfering in the industrial conflict, thus making it worse, and it's time to take the franchise away from GTR and re-nationalise Southern Railway, and quickly please!

Southern Railway: Industrial Action Today...

There is RMT (conductors) industrial action today, in addition to the ongoing 'work to rule' being carried out by Aslef (drivers). Probably best to travel by South Eastern if heading for London, though, should you wish to check up on planned railway services from Southern, you can refer to their website, good luck!

Southern Railway: Is a compromise possible?

The RMT (conductors union) are putting forward a proposal to try to make a compromise with Govia Thameslink, the company who run Southern Railway at the moment, and are meeting with Members of Parliament for support of their proposal. The RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "We will be telling MPs that we are hoping the company will reconsider our proposal for a trial six-month period of an accessibility guarantee... We would hope that they would agree to this sensible proposal as the Association of Train Operating Companies consultant's report has said train companies should guarantee a second person to comply with their legal obligations."

RMT members on Southern will stage a fresh strike next Monday, while Aslef (the drivers) continue with their 'work to rule', ie not working overtime.

See BBC website for more.

Southern Railway... Well, what can we do?

Whilst Aslef (the drivers' union) begins an overtime ban on the 29th June, the RMT (the conductors' union) considers its next steps, with plans to go on strike on the 10th of July: Mick Cash (RMT general secretary) said: "The spotlight is now well and truly back on the basket-case Southern rail franchise and their unconditional support from this minority government, regardless of the safety and service consequences." 

Meanwhile, the Association of British Commuters (ABC) will attend a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice (High Court) on 29 June seeking a 'judicial review' of the situation, declaring that ministers have acted unlawfully by failing to determine whether managers had breached franchise obligations. Summer Dean of ABC asserted that "Passengers are the only people who still don't have a voice in this fiasco, and many thousands of them support us in our efforts to reveal the truth behind the Department for Transport's involvement in Southern Rail."

ABC seem to be wanting a voice; see BBC. 

So, ABC, Aslef and the RMT in the red corner, Southern Railway and the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, in the blue corner, seconds out. round twelve!

General Election & Manchester bombing bring relief to our trains?

Having read my blogs during the last 12 months, I am sure you know what I mean! Government interference has consistently blocked any agreement between the unions involved (RMT and Aslef) in the dispute over having Southern trains being staffed by only 1 person, a driver (and 2 other train companies in England now!)... The guards, RMT, respectfully put off a strike following the bombing in Manchester last Monday, and now the drivers, Aslef, have suspended industrial action to allow for further talks (BBC). I know we can all see what will happen after Thursday 8th, depending on the result... 😩 

And all we want are decent rail services to and from Hastings...

Re-nationalise Southern Railway, you know it makes sense!

RMT Suspends Strike

Cinque Ports Flag at Half-mast

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) had planned a 24-hour walkout on Southern, Merseyrail and Northern (Arriva Rail North) on 30 May, as mentioned in a recent blog. However, the union's general secretary Mick Cash yesterday said: "Our thoughts and solidarity are with the people of Manchester." 

"In light of the horrific bombing in Manchester last night, and the heightened safety and security alerts on our transport services, RMT's executive has taken the decision to suspend the 24 hours of strike action scheduled for 30th May."

Southern Rail Talks Resume Today

 

Talks between representatives of Southern Railway and the conductors' union, the RMT, resume today... Here's hoping the general election campaign ensures the omission of political interference in these talks and the end to industrial conflict, fingers crossed!

Time to sort out Southern Railway?

Is now the time to sort out the mess that is Southern Railway? The BBC report (website) that talks are re-starting to sort out the mess, oops, I mean, to resolve the year-long industrial dispute; it has been a YEAR now, poor long-suffering rail passengers! 

A spokesperson for Southern said: "We're pleased to be meeting the RMT in a bid to try and find a route forward to end their dispute." 

Whilst the RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash, said: "The union welcomes the opportunity to engage with Southern rail in further talks.

"We expect there to be no efforts to undermine these important talks from other parties and that they will be allowed to take place free from external interference." 

Maybe there will now be no further 'efforts to undermine' the talks, being as the Government should now be concentrating on campaigning for the general election, and so should not have the time to interfere (see my blog of last year); unless Peter Wilkinson is given the duty of keeping up the 'good fight' of course! Anyway, fingers crossed...

PS. Amber Rudd never did reply to me! (See blog).

Rail Details for Today

Another day with our train 'service' from Hastings effected by industrial action in the South and South-East, due to conductors on strike, ie RMT members who are employed by Southern Railway, (again rail services up north with Northern and Merseyrail are also involved today)... If you need to travel on Southern before midnight, here is a link to what's been arranged to account for a disrupted service on Southern's website.

Looks like Rail Strike this Saturday...

The RMT strike on Saturday looks to be going ahead... (Southern website).

Yet More Rail Chaos to Come!

Members of the Aslef union (drivers) have rejected the second deal in the long-running dispute over driver-only operated trains on Southern Railway, voting by 372 votes (51.8%) to 346 (48.2%) against the proposed deal, see Aslef website.

Aslef General secretary Mick Whelan said: "We understand and support the decision arrived at in a democratic vote." Govia Thameslink Railway (Southern's owners) said it was "hugely disappointing..." 

With Aslef re-joining the fray, and the RMT (conductors) still in it, and in other areas of the country too, we can expect even more disruption of our local railways, nice to live in Hastings, indeed, at least we have South Eastern to use if we want to travel afar (cars and coaches notwithstanding, of course!), thank you Government!