On Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:13:47 -0800 (PST), Mizter T
wrote:


On 19 Feb, 13:18, Mizter T wrote:

[big snip]

So, what's up at LOROL?

Just found this BBC News online story about the troubles at LOROL:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7898757.stm

It seems the question of whether or not there'll be guards on the new
trains is one issue - this is a quote from the piece:
"The union also claims that rail bosses have failed to confirm verbal
assurances that new trains will be staffed by guards."

This is an entirely traditional area for the RMT to go mad about. They
are, of course, contrary in the extreme given the vastly differing
agreements they have with different TOCs for driver / guard or DOO
operation. Naturally he wants to preserve the status quo and to ensure
that all new or transferred services are operated on the same basis.

From his viewpoint there is a lot to play for in terms of extra
membership and therefore greater industrial muscle. There must also be
a bit of a test here to see how LOROL will play things - give them 15
months to settle down, create a good impression with the public and just
as lots of major things are about to happen threaten to go on strike.
Quite well timed from his angle in terms of pressure being placed at
LOROL's door.

I think the new trains are DOO equipped so I was always under the
impression that guards were on their way out (perhaps they're simply
not very keen at being made redundant in 'today's economic climate'
which would be understandable).

Yes but it's not beyond the bounds of reasonableness to expect them to
apply for and train to be drivers for the vastly more frequent services
and bigger network that LOROL will operate. Still I'm sure Bob Crow
would rather have double the membership from retaining guards even if it
wrecks the viability of the concessionaire's bid.

However it sounds as though that's not the only issue - facilities, or
rather the lack of them, at the now far more comprehensively staffed
stations seems to be an issue too. I recall talk of how at least some
new such facilities were on the cards so as to cater for all the new
staff - perhaps what they've got doesn't equate to what they thought
was promised in the bright new shiny orange future.

There are reasonably recent presentations on the LOROL website that say
quite clearly that better staff accommodation is planned for the Phase 3
works. There might be an issue here over the pace of improvement and
possible issues over scope reduction - I'm sure I've read that the Phase
3 station works have been subject to rigorous review to try to save
money.

I don't think the issue here is with TfL - it's with LOROL. Uncle Bob
will, of course, try to entangle both TfL and the Mayor in any dispute
as Unite tried to do with bus driver wages.

--
Paul C