• Delays: Unions plan full week of rail strikes
• Rail: Off-peak fares soar on First Great Western

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Sack the lot of them with issues about their "larger than the national average for London" pay packets and inability to work a full week like the rest of us. Were they not aware of the job role and expectations and remuniration when they applied for the position and signed an employment contract. Welcome to the real world or let someone who has recently been made redundant in London have your job. I assure you they would be more than grateful and would just get on with it.

- Hls, Essex

you all miss 1 point bob crow represent the RMT not aslef. there was 3 unions involved in this strike the 1st time they have been on strike together since 1926. does this not say something about Nxea management where all 3 unions felt they had to do something about it, its all so the 1st times trains on great eastern have stop running since 1982(due to a strike) . please do not confuse Bob crow with aslef who have very few strikes and have always tried working with the train company's but this time nxea went to far and in the end conceded defeat. as some of you seem to think train drivers are on £40k plus a year, some are but only if they do lots of over time , I would all so like to see some of you start at 4 am in the morning when on early shift and Finnish at 2 am when on late's. and having a train with over a 1000 people on it , if I make a mistake then how many could be dead. if you make a mistake in your office some 1 gets a wrong invoice so next time u all jump up and down a train drivers job is a responsible 1

- Fed Up Staff, romford

P. Herts. What is the worst that can happen if you make a mistake at work? Pick up the wrong colour pen? Spill your latte? Are you just upset that you didn't get to use another of your duvet days or one of your allocated sick days, all you office workers get about ten a year don't you.

Oooo. Am I making sweeping statements with no basis of fact? Naughty Me!

- Andy, South Essex

"P" of Herts
Thanks for your reply - but next time please read my post in full, particularly the final sentance.
I stand by my comments, although I will stress that I believe train drivers are very well paid and enjoy good terms and conditions in their employment.
That is why I ask the question - why don't you become train drivers?
Perhaps some would not be able to handle the responsibility, and prefer to hide behind a desk where a mistake will not have catastrophic consequences ( apart from that of the economy of course.... )

- Jamie, London, UK

If you don't want to pay my wages drive to work and quit moaning

- Thom Ass, London

Thanks for all your support, i'll buy you all a beer next time i'm in liverpool street with my extra money.

- Train Driver, harlow

Just proves that Jaw Jaw is better than War War...So when is Boris going to meet Uncle Bob and leaders of other transport unions that represent TFL staff??

Sometime ...Never I suppose

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex

Jamie I like your comments, it does appear that some office workers are disgruntled over the fact rail workers are getting a pay rise whilst they aren't this year.


"...so just how much will all our tickets go up by in December/January to cover this? 3.5%? 5%? It's for sure NXEA will just pass it straight onto their customers."

AnotherAngryCommuter, your fare increases are decided by National Express fat cats and have little, if anything to do with offered pay rises. A good percentage of it goes to their back pockets!
Maybe you should consider, why the percentage of your fare increase this year was some what higher than the memebers pay increase. Could it be something to do with the bosses getting a 10% pay increase perhaps??
There is nothing wrong with unions fighting for a fair pay deal, to reflect the profits the company is making, with customer service staff receiving torrents of verbal abuse and threats of violence everyday and even the sack by bosses for challenging anti social behaviour they deserve their pay rise!

- Anonymous, London

So the Unions have gone on 2.5 of their planned strikes, causing disruption and chaos and NOW NXEA offer them more money! If NXEA had the money in the first place why didn't they give it to the drivers then and save all of this agro? Better still, NXEA should have reduced their offer by 0.5% each time the unions went on strike - even taking their offer below zero if required. Then we would have seen who flinched first!!!

- Mark Adams, Thetford, Norfolk

...so just how much will all our tickets go up by in December/January to cover this? 3.5%? 5%? It's for sure NXEA will just pass it straight onto their customers. Let's hope NXEA are out of business by this time next year so they won't have to see through their offer of 2% 'minimum'!

- Another Angry Commuter, Essex

In answer to "Jamie" from London saying how hard it is to be a train driver... seriously?! Have you not see the state of them? 99% of them are massively overweight, and are all have the same morose expression permantly of their greedy fat faces. Why should they get pay rises when hardly anyone else is? It's not even about bankers being bailed out. The only people who should be getting them are the emergency services. Not those ****s. As for moaning about the commute... I'm not fussed about it. The fare isn't justified, and nor will next years fare hike, but the actual commute, when the drivers can be to turn up, is good.

- P, Herts

Why on earth did management cave in on this? 3.5% over two years ? I bet the Unions won't stick to this.
Just remember that duff workers, duff union reps and duff management caused all this rubbish.Just wait till there is a change of Government, a tightening of the franchise obligations and some wide ranging threatened staff reductions. We are in 2009 now ,not 1974

- William Grierson, Kimpton-UK

Why does everyone in the city get labelled with the Fat Cat Banker brush? And that anyone that works in the city for a bank must be on hundreds of thousands?

I would say about 80 to 90% of workers that use the trains are just normal average joe's going to work to get by and earning a normal wage, a high proportion maybe lower then the train drivers. They don't earn the big bucks or get a million pound bonus each year.

Bob Crow last week was standing outside Liverpool Street banging on, defending the action saying that the Fat Cats of the city will now realise they can't have it their own way.

What a blinkered perspective.

Luckily I've not been affected that much, as my chauffeur knows has done the knowledge so knows London like the back of his hand.......toodle pip...

- Mark, Barnet

You know reading all the comments left from people, I detect a hint of jealousy. Seems that everyone is slating them for recieving the payrise. So your employer doesn't give you a rise, big deal, find another job!

I haven't had a payrise for 2 years because of the "economic climate" but hey its one of those things. You deal with it and get on with it. People seem to moan because others are getting it and they are not. Its the old story of some people not liking the fact that they are getting more money than they are.

This payrise is nowhere is as bad as the amount of money that greedy bankers drained off. What about these politicians that claim money for all these so called expenses. What are they in peoples good books or have people turned into sheep and forgotten about it?

We should be looking at the bigger picture before passing judgement.

- Nigel, Luton

Jamie, you prejudgmental comments about office workers are no different from those used by those about whom you complain; they're offensive and most of all stupid.

Withdrawal of labour helps no one, not the employer, the employee and most of all not the customer - the one whose fares provide the revenue for the drivers' salaries, lest it be forgotten.

The employers and the employess can do something about the situation but the customer cannot. In the S E of England virtually all of us are a captive public to the rail companies. It is for this reason people who use this so-called service make clear their feelings on this subject and are fully entitled to do so.

It is fortunate for RMT, ASLEF and TSSA staff that we are a tolerant society as I can think of several other european countries where the welfare or safety of the driver have been put at risk by going on strike.

- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England

Before the strikes started, Bob Crowe said that National Express were making huge profits and "we want some" - choosing to ignore the fact that they had just lost the franchise on the East Coast line. Presumably he wants to force them into bankruptcy and thereby bring about renationalisation. He will then be able to force a weak, inept government to pay whatever he wants, whenever he wants, as often as he wants, all at our expense. Nice work, if you can get it.

- Anne, London, UK

Lw, LONDON
Yes go on then FIRE THE LOT OF THEM, and who is going to drive the trains then?. People have the right to fight for pay increases just like you, and you are better if you are in a Union, if you try and do it on your own you will get know- where.
Please remember it is not the train drivers who set the price of a ticket?. National Express is a P.L.C. and have share holders to consider and they want there cut as well. This Coach and rail company gave up the East -Coast main line and give it back to the Government .... why ?., because it was not making the millions it thought it was going to make, so they gave it up, thats what sort of companies you are dealing with here, they only want profitable lines.
Finally,
Rail personel have families and mortgages and bills as well as the rest of us, they don't spend all there time 24/7 driving trains?.

I am pleased that both sides have come to an agreement ..... now lets move on ..... untill next time?, Choo,Chooo.

- John L., Scarborough N.YKS. England. U.K.

Mark my words, these hooligans will hold the country to ransom during the olymics just to get what they want. I know someone who used to be a train driver - rang in sick most Monday's and Friday's, got paid regardless. Endless sick pay and holidays. Did better than all of us, and yet, never stopped moaning about his working conditions which amounted to nothing more serious than being expected to work a 37.5 hour week. Lazy, good for nothing parasites. Sack them all

- Maya - London, London

I would like to thank Bob Crow and his cronies for allowing my £3.5k a year season ticket to go take a break from use (as even the one an hour service wouldn't stop at my stop). Of course, not being able to go in to work, I had the pleasure of having to take 5 days off my holiday allocation.

- Jobsworth Wannabe, Mon Feeshay

Amusing to read the "sack them all" comments.
Why don't you all apply to be train drivers if you believe it is that easy.
Such ignorance, no doubt from lazy, arrogant office workers who sit behind desks for a living. There are probably bailed-out bankers complaining about their train service, with the usual lack of humility.
If you are not happy with your commuter lifestyle, then do something about it rather than blame others for your life choices.
Bob Crow is a complete idiot yet he earns over 70k - what's your excuse?

- Jamie, London, UK

It takes two to tango, and maybe NXEA had a part to play in this industrial relations breakdown. Norwich travellers have not been helped by the installation of expensive ticket barriers -- which never appear to work and nine times out of ten require staff assistance. And what about the horrible toilets on the trains -- let alone no flower baskets on the station, NXEA....??

- Brenda, norwich, UK

I would love to discuss with Crow, as someone who pays his wages i.e a passenger and tax payer from the private sector why exactly a 40k a year Train driver on a 35hr week during a recession with 2.5mil people who cannot get a job, why drivers deserve an inflation busting pay rise...

- Alistair, Shenfield

Bob Crow is nothing but a yob - with the price of a rail tarvel and the less than acceptable standard of quality service how dare he hold commuters to ransom - without us half of these idiots wouldn't have jobs in the first place and in the light of redundancies, pay freezes and pay cuts don't you think these strikers should be grateful for still actually having a job and so well paid? AND what a good advertisement for the 2012 Olympics - Not!!! Maybe the Govt shoud have taken this more seriously and looked further than their pockets on this one. What a sad sorry picture the UK must look to the rest of the world!!!!

- Win- Herts, Bishops Stortford UK

Ha! 3.5% pay rise? In this economic climate? National Express East Anglia is heading for bankruptcy. Where the hell are they supposed to get the money from?? Under the existing inflation-tracking rules, they have to reduce ticket prices in January 2010 as it is. And we all moan about the bankers: this deal leaves train drivers earning more than most policemen, teachers, nurses and junior doctors.

- Steven Davidson, Colchester, England

NOBODY had got any sympathy for the train drivers or the unions. They already have good pay and benefits - they should try doing my job and see what annual pay increase they get offered! And if I asked to do a 4 day week, I would be told where to go. They should have sacked the lot of them and given the jobs to the millions of people who are currently unemployed and would love to do the job!

- Fed Up, Brentwood

I'm pleased the strikes are over but not pleased these lazy greedy people get what they want by holding the city to ransom. fire the lot of them, there are over a million unemployed, i bet most of those would jump at a job which pays so well anyway with 38 days holiday!!!

- Lw, London

I would love a guaranteed full time job let alone a increase - we wll know this "deal" will be paid for by the long suffering commmuter - how dare they agree to this deal knowing we will foot the bill and can always be held to ransom whenever the unions feel like it.It's about time we were guaranteed clean trains and enough seats but we haven't got a bulldog like Bob Crow to fight in our corner!

- Caroline Denton, Waltham Abbey, Essex

Why cant the laws be changed so the companies can sack the staff who want a payrise in this climate and employ the millions of people who would probably do it for less!

Unions are just a way to get nice holidays in the summer when the kids are off school.

- Phillip White, Sudbury, UK

A lot of vitriol towards the rail workers and none towards the management of National Express - the same firm that managed to make a loss on one of the UK’s busiest rail lines - as always a lot of people find it easier to go with the cowardice of the herd mentality.

As for the comment that Bob Crow would not leave Liverpool Street Station in one piece, was the commentator saying he would fight him alone or only with the backing of a lynch mob, reprehensible and cowardly.

If the same anger was shown to the bankers who also travel through Liverpool Street maybe this country would not be in the state it is.

- John Smith, London UK

Yeah and the buses from bishops cleve to cheltenham were a nightmare borderline farcical. Anyone out tonight?

- Ryan, Cheltenham

I would like to listen to Mr Crow explain and justify the hours and pay and conditions these people (sorry, his 'comrades') get, and to explain it in front of the commuters. Shame he won’t have the guts to do that. Instead he will continue to live his dinosaur life of the 1970s. I would rather put up with strikes than give in to his demands and I hope the rail bosses and Mayor Johnson do the same

- Paul D, Chelmsford

I went along to the ticket office at Colchester station this morning to claim the due refunds on my season ticket. It too was closed. The east of England, home to several million people, depends on a reliable railway and a usable road (often, anything but). The local chambers of commerce are up in arms over the damage the strikes are doing - many big companies are packing up and moving to places with decent transport links. Why does neither the Government, nor our local MP, have the guts to start grounding Commie Crow into the ground, where he belongs!?

- Steven Davidson, Colchester, England

Lions led by donkeys springs to mind. Don't worry drivers your union boss is still getting his £70,000 a year from his members contributions.

- Ed, Romford Essex

parasite crow needs the wage rise to put him back on full rations ! he is only thinking of gloryfying himself yet again !

- Ronnie, UK

the likes of Bob Crowe are pure rif-raf
the picture says it all

- Mario Kempe, london

Sack them all!!!, they have no support or sympathy from communters, with the current economic climate, people losing their jobs, they have a cheek to ask for a pay-rise, im sure the unemployed people of this country will be more than willing to this job at the same rate.

- Kuldip, London, UK

all the lazy workshys want to do is lounge around at home or go on short breaks on a long weekend in the summer. i don t think they would strike in the winter when its cold and wet. sacked them all and take on people out of work who would jump that the chance of work

- Hard Rain, england

An open request to Bob Crow. Come along to Liverpool Street Station at 5.30 pm next Monday evening and address us suffering commuters with your problems. Talk to us and see how much sympathy you get. Probably less than zero and I would be surprised to see you leave in one piece. You are a parasite as are your work members. The cost of this exercise will be hoisted onto us commuters, those same people suffering most now. Come on, show some guts if you dare and meet with us in public.

- Steve, London

NX runs both NXEA and C2C and yet C2C operates with one of the best performances in the world let alone this country. So why the difference - looks like its down to bad amagement at NXEA!

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex

show your dislike of the strikers by throwing water at them and their pickets...give them a drenching, make them feel uncomfortable...lets get our own back!

- Daveb, london

They should give them a take it or leave it ultimatum at the original offer. People are getting into work or working from home and would put up with more inconvenience if it broke the unions . There are 2.5mn people out of work, and it can't be THAT hard to drive a train.

- Paul, London

With thousands of people being made redundant with little prospect of re-employment these rail workers should be thankful that they actually have a job!

- Steve, Bulphan, Essex

I have managed so far to get in and home without too much hassle particularly over the last few weeks. Don't give in to them !!!

- Louise, Essex

They all keep claiming "unacceptable conditions" but I would love to know what they actually are and if they even exist!

- Cat, Essex

I can't believe they have offered them a bigger payrise! They are already over paid. As far as i'm concered both sides are as bad as each other. We all know National Express are incapable of running a decent train service and i'm sure if they treat their staff anything like the way they treat commuters then they are someone I would want to work for. But that's the point, if they are that bad get a new job, that's what the rest of us would have to do, but of course you wouldn't find one that was so well paid.

It will be interesting to see what happens if next weeks strikes go ahead. It's V festival weekend in Chelmsford and its always a nightmare on the Friday with all those extra people, tents and backpacks on the trains, with one train an hour its going to be one big fight

- Angry Commuter, chelmsford

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