Avebury this Wednesday?

The weather forecast is generally good for this week. Provided that
proves correct, does anybody fancy a trip to Avebury on Wednesday evening?

 

Where are you going from? Is there a pub that folk head to etc?

Couple of years since I've ventured out with UKRM types... wonder if
I'll recognise anyone.

Euain

 

Yes. But fancy and do are two different things.

I'll think of you as I dig into a schweinshaxe and a few alt beers.

 

Yes.

I'll be on the R80RT-RRSP-EXUP so pack your Pampers.

I may or may not pick up an Octogenarian pillion on the way.

 

Is that in case they piss themselves when they see you coming?

 

I'm waiting for 3 days of sun (well, not rain) to go camping...

The BBC's 5 day forecast is wank, it changes through the day for tomorrow,
yet alone for the full 5 day. But, M and T have now got little sunshine rays
around them (which they didn't have this morning), so I might well get my 3
days.

We'll see, as it absolutely pissing it down here at the moment (Stoke).

 

Depends entirely on the weather, but chalk me up as a vague maybe.

 

Most probably

 

ogden

I should be able to make my way down there too. 6pm at?

 

I have a prior engagement in the form of an open/mass meeting.

"The company are intent on introducing agency drivers on short fixed term
contracts on lower rates of pay and inferior conditions: Discuss"

Which should be fun.

 

I thought there was a driver shortage - why would drivers accept lower pay
and inferior conditions if they are in demand?

 

note the term agency drivers - would these be the much vaunted German
and Dutch female drivers that Mr Ludeman was referring to in a speech he
made (as reported in Modern Railways)? How is Miss Deutsche Bahn choo
choo driver settling with in the Brighton brethren?

I somehow imagine that ASLEF (an' t'brothers) will not be keen on the
concept of agency staff being employed to perform a highly skilled job.
I would additionally imagine that they would wish to such a concept dead
in its tracks [1].

[1] sorry that was awful.

 

Exactly....

There is an acute shortage and a very high turnover (the new bugs can't
cope with the shifts but mainly because the immediate managers are
arseholes - amateur prefects.)

The shortages are such the company are offering a premium of £145 just to
book-on on your Rest Day (we get two a week) in addition to hours worked.
We as negotiators have a view on this but unfortunately the temptation is
too great for many.

The shortages are so bad and long term they wish to employ drivers from
the EU countries [1] who on the whole have much less favourable
conditions and wages on short term contracts - agency staff. This is not
acceptable given the long term repercussions.


[1] "Interoperability" - a train driving licence is valid in any EU
country (for all intents and purposes).

A couple of years ago Burnt asked why I was demonstrating in Paris - this
is the legislation we were opposed to; which is in effect 'Flags of
Convenience' on the railway.

 

Not quite. There are two issues the one of the DB and NL drivers we
don't have a problem with as they are employed on the same terms and
contracts as the rest of us. So in effect are no different to, say, a
Virgin; Thameslink or Scotrail driver transferring in.

These others are different as they are on lower wages; worse conditions
and a short term fixed contract (12 - 18 months). They will come under
the auspices of fleet and move empty stock about. Releasing mainline
drivers for service trains.

It has been stated they don't require as much route knowledge as they
won't be stopping anywhere.

Aside the training issue and it returns us to the days of many rates of
pay for the same job the fact they are employing agency staff is the real
problem.

If the agency's are allowed to get their foot in the door the long term
future for our security is bleak as historically agency staff (in this
context) and short term contracts forces down wages and skilling.

These short term jobs, contracts and wages are very attractive to our
much lower paid (Eastern?) European colleagues.

Kill yourself now.

Incidentally did you see the recent interview with Christian Wolmar on
BBC?

<Wolmar finishes well argued piece on the revised SRA>

Interviewer: So you're saying that will put Britains Railways "back
on track"

Wolmar: I don't do railway cliches.

Interviewer: err, yes of course
<fx: embarrassed shuffle>

 

Shame you can't make it. I'd be tempted to slog my way over to Avebury
to say hello.

Ah - that's what I thought would be the objection.

I can imagine that - I get the bus at 07.00 most mornings and it is like
travelling in Eastern Europe. Half of the London economy would collapse
without Eastern Europeans doing the crappier jobs.

Any preferred means of achieving this?

No - I can't stand Mr Wolmar and his pompous opinions. Most of what he
says is a load of old rubbish IMNSHO.

Still I can't help relishing a smile at the demise of the SRA. My old
boss Mr Bowker given the push along with a whole pile of ex LU employees
who went there to earn obscene amounts of cash. Call me vindictive.

 

Paul Corfield

Oh, it'd be nice to catch up again.

 

Would you accept a couple of the rest of us instead? Would be good to say
hello again.

Drop me an email if you're interested - I'm off work at the mo so you could
pop round mine[1]before for a cuppa if you felt so inclined.

[1] OX, not SL

 

Might be pesuaded if the weather is good...
--
O
1 Black, shortly to undergo extensive surgery.
1 Red, undergoing lightweight surgery. -----
1 Blue, for Power-Ranger baiting. | o |
Numbers ... | o |
Stuff ... | ooo |
Life ... -----

 

I can't say that I am definitely free on Wednesday as I am waiting to
hear whether I am having a meal out on Wed or Friday.

It just seems a nice part of the country to ride to on a Summer's
evening so if not this week then another time. It's a long trip for me
but it'll do no harm providing I stay awake on the return ride.

 

It's not /that/ far and some stomping good roads to be had. TBH I'd much
rather be messing about on Salisbury plain than in a dingy Railway club
bearing glad tidings.