Another rail strike over pay offer?

Question

I think that it is bad that these people have to strike 31st march april 1st-2nd-3rd because of a 4.5% pay offer they already earn before overtime £40,447 for a 37 hour week,what are your thoughts on this

Answer 1

This is drivers employed by South West Trains. Most rail strikes are settled just before they take place. I think the rail unions are milking the fatted calf while they can. It is extremely likely a Conservative government will be elected in two years time; they will most likely strive to reduce the size of the rail industry by re forming the franchises with reduced levels of service, higher fares and closures of some lines; this will lead to many redundancies amongst rail operating staff.

Answer 2

I wouldn't be so alarmist about the Conservatives - Contrary to Popular opinion Margret Thatcher did actaully invest in the railways (see the East Coast Electrification - it was admittedly done on the cheap - but it was more then the current DfT is prepared to do) - It was John Major who did the privatisation.

Mind you I don't trust politicians of any colour...

Anyway it sounds like its Waterloo Depot - a friend of mine who works for SWT says that they are the most lazy and most militant depot in SWT (and not well liked by the other depots who do at least make an effort)

Problem is that the RMT is run by a man for whom Stalin was too conservative

Answer 3

Which Train Operating Company are you referring to?