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Rail commuters face major strike
Dick Murray, Transport Editor19 Feb 2009
LONDON's busiest rail commuter lines face shutdown in the biggest co-ordinated strike action since the early Nineties.
They include routes operated by South West Trains, First Capital Connect (Thameslink), National Express East Anglia and London Overground.
Hundreds of thousands of commuters - who today learned that they pay by far the highest fares in Europe - would be affected by the action over job losses and working conditions.
In 1994, industrial action by signal workers repeatedly closed the entire national network during a three-month dispute.
The first of what is likely to be a series of 24-hour walkouts could take place next month.
Bosses at the RMT, the largest rail union, are to ballot nearly 4,000 staff at the four companies in separate disputes over jobs and conditions.
Ballots will open on Tuesday, 3 March and close two weeks later on Tuesday, 17 March. Union leaders expect overwhelming support for industrial action.
The union, by law, must then give the employers seven days' notice, meaning the first strikes could take place from Wednesday, 25 March.
SWT has announced 660 job losses including ticket office, cleaning, platform, revenue-protection, information and clerical staff.
National Express East Anglia plans to cut more than 300 jobs including platform, cleaning, restaurant-car, retail, revenue-protection and call-centre staff.
FCC proposes reducing the opening hours of ticket offices across its network by 800 hours a week.
The union failed to get pledges from the operators that there would be no compulsory redundancies.
London Overground is accused by the union of not negotiating "seriously" over restructuring plans.
All four companies levied the maximum peak-time fare increases of six per cent or more last month.
Bob Crow, the RMT's leader, said the time had come "to draw a line in the sand" to halt the cuts and protect staff and services.
He added: "Our members are facing industry-wide attacks on their jobs by privateer train operators who between them have siphoned off tens of millions of pounds out of the railways. Our only possible response is to co-ordinate resistance to them.
"The job losses being imposed to protect short-term, selfish interests of the parasites running our railways threaten to do lasting damage. They are the last thing our members, the travelling public, the environment or the economy need."
He added: "It is a full-scale onslaught that sacrifices experienced and loyal staff simply to keep profits up and it can only undermine service and safety."
The union said reducing ticket office opening times will mean stations left unstaffed for longer periods including late at night and weekends.
Of the dispute involving London Overground, operated by Transport for London, Mr Crow said: "The company has consistently failed to negotiate seriously over its restructuring plans. It has failed to give us the assurance there will be no attempt to undermine safety by introducing driver-only train operation on often overcrowded commuter trains."
Reader views (40)
It should be remembered that London Overground is controlled by Boris Johnson via TFL so why is this on the list? What is Boris doing or more likely NOT DOING that's the real question?
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 20/02/2009 00:17
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I don't normally support many strikes. This one has my full support though - it's about far more than working conditions. Amongst all the nationalisations happening at the moment, funny how this obvious case for nationalisation is being avoided at all costs.
- Dave, Muswell Hill, 19/02/2009 21:40
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I commuted for years into central London. I don't miss it a bit. However, do not attack the rail workers and unions. The soft comfortable life most of us have lead was made possible by our fathers and grandfathers fighting for better pay and conditions. Never forget that.
Thatcher spent her working life trying to reverse the process. If it was up to people like her and her kind, children would probably still be working in the mills.
The real problems with the rail system, privatisation, greedy and incompetent management and the arrogant, lazy yuppies who travel on them. You know, those that might lose their jobs because they don't see where we all are and how we got into this mess. To them it is always somebody else's fault.
Try living where I do, you would be pleased with any form of public transport.
Ray expat in USA.
- Ray, Marlborough USA, 19/02/2009 19:48
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1. It is obvious that rail travel is a vital part of infrastructure.
2. It is obvious that privatization has not produced low fares and high investment.
3. It is obvious that the public are being ripped off by rail travel, and are loathe to give up their cars as a result.
4. Conclusion-only in the UK...
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK, 19/02/2009 18:43
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I see there's lots of complaints from people in St Albans and Harpenden regarding the awful Capital Connect.
I'm feeling pretty smug about moving back to London and saving 4 grand a year that I used to spend on a service that didn't work and rude and arrogant staff.
- Simon, London, 19/02/2009 18:14
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How about we pave over the rail tracks that are apparently losing money and turn them into cycling motorways? We could turn Victoria, Waterloo, etc. in to masse changing/locker rooms and all be healthier and richer. Any takers?
- Mark, London, 19/02/2009 17:53
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Mystified Of St Albans, St Albans
i was just about to write that we should go on strike when i read your comment . i think (me anyway) people have put that as tongue in cheek . get a sense of humour , and dont worry , its friday tomorrow!!!!!
- Clive, london, 19/02/2009 17:35
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It is a disgrace that the rail workers hold passengers and their bosses to ransom. I have no bonus, and am struggling to keep my head above the water with no luxuries in my life, but I would not even consider "going on strike". In fact if I protested, I would probably lose my job. I have no sympathy whatsoever for the rail workers - get back to work you lazy people and do a hard day's work for once like the rest of us.
- Anon, London, 19/02/2009 17:14
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There will be a vote for a strike( there always is!), a failed eleventh hour union/management meeting to avert industrial action-followed by a probable couple of reasonably well publicized 24 hour stoppages--then it will get back to normal after the usual fudged compromise.
- William Grierson, Kimpton-UK, 19/02/2009 17:05
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I am baffled by suggestions from other users that the rest of us should go on strike. Why ever would that bother the rail employees who are planning the strike? Do you really think they would be upset if no passengers whatsoever turned up one day and they didn't have to drive the trains? I think they'd see it as a bonus day off. It's a silly suggestion anyway because you know it would never happen. There have been strikes on the rail and the tube every year I have worked in London (25+). It is just one of those things you have to grin and bear, the same as cleaning the oven once in a while. And I don't know why people are dragging cycling into the argument at all - what's that all about? It's like saying "My fridge is on the blink, but it doesn't matter because I can go barn dancing instead".
- Mystified Of St Albans, St Albans, 19/02/2009 16:51
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My First Capital Connect train to harpenden has been delayed or cancelled every day for 3 weeks now and the 'Time Table' is not worth blowing your nose in.
I dare Bob Crow to spend 4k a year and stand beside me for a week in farringdon (the 5th gate from hell) and see if he can keep a straight face when he see's what we have to put up with.
Its rubbish, total rubbish and thats that. The staff are rubbish (farringdon) and I think that since the service has been so crap for quite a while they now feel that this is the allowed norm.
There hasn't been any ticket inspectors on the train for ages and I just can't wait to meet the next one, by god will he earn his money.....
- Mark, st albans, 19/02/2009 15:36
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If people crticising staff knew what we are going through, you'od be on our side. Its shamful.
- Old Railman, Wandsworth, 19/02/2009 14:23
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There's no question of me cycling - but not just because I live on the South Coast and commute to London.
The huge advantage of the train, provided you have a reasonable expectation of a seat (which I do), is that there are loads of things you can do that are absolutely impossible in a car or on a bike or indeed on most other forms of transport - such as reading a book or even writing one.
In fact, the money I earn from freelance pieces written en route comfortably covers the cost of the season ticket, on top of the higher standard of living created by moving outside London in the first place. So how exactly would switching to cycling improve matters?
- Michael, London, 19/02/2009 14:08
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I don't doubt that 10's of millions have be syphoned off. We all know about the bonus culture run by the crooks at the top. When is government going to do something??! If I don't get to work I don't get paid. I am fighting to survive in a climate that could turn into a full blown depression. Heads are rolling all around me. How dare they increase my fare, reduce my services and now threaten me with strike action. They make me sick. They should be thankful they have a job and as well paid. Everyone has to cut back. Why make the public suffer. If they have proof of the corporate crooks make it public - name them and shame them and pressure the government to do something. Seriously if I don't make it into work each day then I will be facing the sack. If that happens god help me because jobs like mine are scarce on the ground.
- Karen F, Croydon, 19/02/2009 14:05
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John, Bedford - Well no. Perhaps not every day from Bedford to London. I think you perhaps have no choice but to cough up and put up.
Raddled of Radlett - Fair enough, then you're in the same boat as John. But think about it. perhaps give it a go this summer for 1 day, when the weather's better. You don't even have to wear lycra, it's not a uniform!
- London Cyclist, London, 19/02/2009 14:05
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The Union led by a well known unreasonable man has been able to do pretty well what he likes up to now.
This time it's different.
There' s nothing to be gained by industrial action for the union. It will be no to everything.
A lot of his members will suffer a lot until they wake up to the fact that their Leader will be like ( head in the sand )Scargil.
Until they vote him out, there will be nothing but industrial strife and misery, it's their choice.
The sooner he goes the better.
- Ken Curwen, Enfield UK, 19/02/2009 13:57
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London Cyclist - I am pleased you have a passion in life but me and cycling to work? Nope, it's not gonna happen! It is 25.5 miles from my home to my office and there is no way I would consider doing that, even one way nevermind twice, on top of a minimum 9 hour working day, sometimes considerably longer. Besides which, I feel fine as I am, I would not have the nerve to cope with central London traffic (as a car driver my heart is always in my mouth when one of you swerves in front of my wheels) the train journey is my reading time, and - perhaps most importantly of all - the sight of me in lycra would be enough to scare the chickens.
- Raddled Of Radlett, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, 19/02/2009 13:39
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My rail service is so poor it would be difficult to see the difference between the staff being on strike and a normal service . If the staff are striking due to poor working conditions perhaps we commuters should strike due to poor travelling conditions .
- Paul Adams, Hertfordshire, 19/02/2009 13:35
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Commuters should go on strike and everyone refuse to take the train till they sort out the service and the prices!!
- Serox, London, 19/02/2009 13:23
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London Cyclist - not everyone shares your enthusisam of riding along a central London road. Firstly, as has been said in the past it is not safe - i am a biker but there is just no way I would ride in central London.
Secondly, this news about the strikes is crazy, i am fighting for my job here and this would be another nail in my coffin..... in times like this you have to stick together.
- Coral, London, 19/02/2009 12:46
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Good,maybe the commuters should join and support the action in the light of a recent report on the over priced and over crowded rail net work,shut the lot down until the government re organise and re nationalise the entire rail network in this country for the benefit of the public as opposed to the benefit of the share holders only.One things for sure its of no benefit to the country in its present state.
- Kev, London-UK, 19/02/2009 12:44
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SWT are full of staff doing non jobs so a purge here or there is no different than any other company is having to do at the moment. Why should train companies think they are different?
- Gareth, Hampshire, 19/02/2009 12:39
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London cyclist - you are seriously suggesting that I cycle fifty miles to work and then fifty miles home again, every day? Get real. I share Crow's view of the rail franchisees and I'd love to see them kicked where it hurts.
- John, Bedford, 19/02/2009 12:25
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we should hand back the olympics before we completely embarass ourselves....
- Simon Bucknell, enfield, 19/02/2009 12:20
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The unions are right - the companies treat their staff, and commuters, with contempt. Commuters can't strike but the workers can. Good luck to them. Normally I agree that they don't live in the real world, but this time any action is justified - the cuts will have a negative impact on the services.
- Helen, Fleet UK, 19/02/2009 12:19
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At least there will be work for the cabbies. You will try to get to work wont you ?
- Mr S.Port, London, 19/02/2009 12:06
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Raddled Of Radlett - I understand your frustration, but what percentage of people jammed into trains and on the Underground do you really think are disabled, pregnant or otherwise unable to get around easily? Very, very few. In fact when I used to commute by train I don't think I ever saw a wheelchair bound traveller. Ever.
As for travelling long distances, I would not call central London to Radlett a "long" distance! Easily manageable on a bike. Your body is capable of far more than you give it credit for, just give it a chance to get fit. I have cycled from SE London (near Greenwich) to Luton and regularly travel over 100 miles per week by bike and don't feel any the worse for it, in fact my fitness levels have shot up. You can very quickly get fit, I used to smoke 20 a day and could barely cycle to the end of the road a few years ago. Now I'm 36 years old and fitter than I was when I was 26 or 16 years of age.
I understand if you plan to be out late in central London drinking - get the train that day, it doesn't mean you are tied to trains for the whole week, as if by some kind of umbillical cord!
Seriously mate, if you're able bodied and don't have to transport more than 5-10kg of stuff, get on your bike. You won't look back.
- London Cyclist, London, 19/02/2009 12:01
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My local station is overstaffed. At any day at any time there are two or three guard reading the paper by the automatic ticket gates. There use in negligable.
- John Entwistle, Hertford, 19/02/2009 12:00
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Workshy!
That is all..
- Darren, London, 19/02/2009 11:46
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once again the RMT is out of touch with the real world, and expect conditions for their workers that are unrealistic in todays conditions.
its this sort of short sightedness, that caused the end of UK motor manufacturing.
- Scott, London, 19/02/2009 11:41
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How about we commuters go on strike? Use the car, share a ride, take a taxi, get on your bike and show these people that you don't need their overpriced, overcrowded "services".
Viva la revolution!
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 19/02/2009 11:40
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"Union leaders expect overwhelming support for industrial action."
That would be a shocker, especially if, as usual, they plan them to coincide with England football fixtures and/or a bout of sunny weather. Does anyone here not fancy a series of paid days off in order to negotiate a pay rise, more holidays or whatever it is they're whining about this time?
- Bob, Cheam, 19/02/2009 11:28
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I see nothing wrong in people taking industrial action if they feel that their jobs are being put at risk.As someone who travels on the rail network I find it worrying that the train companies are going to reduce their staffing levels even more.Some stations will become impossible for diabled or elderly people to use if the manning levels are reduced.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England, 19/02/2009 11:26
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Crowing again. It's about time he and his members understood the realities of life - do they all think they're so special? It would be good if the RMT worked for the benefit of the Country and not solely to destroy what little we have left.
- Nigel, St Albans, 19/02/2009 11:24
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Oh, thanks for sorting that out for us, London Cyclist! We didn't realise it was SO simple! Weren't we silly to be worrying about what we'd do on train strike day? And I'm sure all those people who are physically unable to ride a bike (say, with a disability or pregnant) will just have to throw themselves into it, not to mention those of us who travel a considerable distance to get to work or come home late after a few drinks or more. Just forget the practicalities of the situation, everybody, because London Cyclist has solved the problem for us! Comments like London Cyclist's may be well meaning but they are not practical for the majority of commuters, meaning those who travel more than a handful of miles.
- Raddled Of Radlett, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, 19/02/2009 11:12
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This is ridiculous! as if life is not difficult enough at the moment. We have to get into work - even though the fact that the train companies are on strike, does not make any difference as we are all scared of losing our jobs.
- Jk, Kent, 19/02/2009 11:10
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Seriously, jettison the overpaid, underworked, capricious rail workers and stop paying through the nose for a ridiculously overpriced travel pass. Cycle. It makes you fit, saves you money and wakes you up in the morning. I started cycling and have never looked back. The only thing that stops me is ice on the roads (2 days so far this year).
- London Cyclist, London, 19/02/2009 10:46
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I understand the problems but the union need to recognise that stopping the trains will only drive people onto the roads with an increase in accidents and then far fewer passengers and lower revenue in the future.
Yes the private companies are making a good profit, but is anyone looking at how much money the government is taking in Franchise fee's??
The amount being paid by companies to run the railways is farcical. Yes the government is paying subsidies, but is this more or less than they receive in franchise fee's?
Then they place and order for new rolling stock outside of the UK when we still have the capacity (just) to build.
And, before i get jumped on for supporting the private companies - just look back at the reductions made by BR - at least we now have an expanding railway whereas BR was not running, but running down the network.
Yes the job cuts are wrong, for many, many reasons, safety being a major concern, but don't just go on strike - get the travelling public behind you, not against you.
- John Whitby, Peterborough, Cambs, 19/02/2009 10:36
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If someone could gently point out to Mr Crow and others that we are in the midst of a once-in-a-century economic crisis and that we are all suffering, perhaps he will stop trying to make life worse for everyone and shut his mouth up. He is priveleged to hold his position, and it can be taken away just as easily as it was bestowed upon him (with any luck).
- Neil M., london uk,, 19/02/2009 10:06
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How many strikes do these rail and tube workers get away with.....why don't they just get another job if they're so unhappy. They are just trying it on as usual. They are a disgrace.
- Chris H, City, 19/02/2009 10:04
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