On Sat, 1 Sep 2007 12:37:15 +0100, "elyob"
wrote:

"Kev" wrote in message
roups.com...
So how do we find out about this, bugger all on the TfL site. That Ken
really is a smart cookie. Called for Metronet to go bankrupt, got what
he wanted and what is the first thing that the cretins in the union
do.
I'd say that they got exactly what they deserved, or what Ken wished
upon them.

Ken may not have wanted PPP but he had to accept its existence. However
I don't believe he would want this failure to have occurred - he simply
wanted the railway to run and the work done. He is at great risk of the
government refusing to fund any of the costs resulting from the failure
of Metronet and thus a whole load of other TfL plans and projects being
chopped to pay for it. I don't believe anyone really wants to see a
regime of cuts being imposed in London just at the time we are starting
to see some expansion. No one wants to see strikes either and people
need to be cognizant of the potential political fall out for the Mayoral
elections next year. Any threat here and you may well see things move
quite quickly.

This strike is supposedly about job guarantees ... what industry can
guarantee their employees jobs when the business is currently f*cked?
Bankers are getting laid off in their droves etc etc ... cannot see a
logical reasoning to their argument.

This is the RMT - where does logic fit in? To be strictly fair though
pensions is another big issue here and for transferred employers there
are statutory guarantees (the Prescott pledge) and these have to be
honoured. Given the pensions problems in many other industries I am not
surprised that the unions and their members are distinctly worried about
any possible breach in this area.

I'm probably just going to give up on public transport in its entirety and
cycle the 30 miles a day.

Well there if it does all go ahead the only line likely to be unaffected
in terms of train services is the Northern Line. The Picc runs over
Metronet tracks and the Jubilee has some trains parked in a Metronet
depot. If station assets fail at Metronet locations and repairs cannot
be effected then it is possible that Northern Line services will be
affected by station closures or possibly partial line suspensions if
multiple Metronet managed stations close. Even though the action is for
a maximum of 72 hours if there is a backlog of repair work then normal
services may take some time to resume.

So, thanks tube drivers, for when I've got a six pack and five fit birds on
my arms in six months .. .

The initial RMT and TSSA dispute is nothing to do with the tube drivers.
The RMT have threatened related action if drivers are forced to drive
trains or work onto track that has not been inspected in accordance with
required standards. As no request to do that has happened there is no
dispute on this front (yet).

The BBC news article saying the strikes are proceeding does say more
talks are planned for Monday and I understand Midday is the key point.
Late in the day I agree but then the unions will seek to gain maximum
leverage from the threat - that's negotiation for you. Wait until Monday
lunchtime.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!