Jonwo wrote: ↑Tue 21 Jun, 2022 19.39
Pete wrote: ↑Tue 21 Jun, 2022 18.33
I usually find the RMT very disagreeable however I think they’ve handled this better by pointing out the train companies have been trying to fix things and the government have bee. Causing the problem.
It makes them seem far less dogmattic than in the last when they’d just shout “nationalise it” a lot which distracted from their actual issues
The DfT will have to reach a compromise sooner rather than later as I would imagine businesses who feel the most impact from strikes will be putting on the pressure to get this resolved.
I do think these strikes from the RMT is justified but there have been strikes threatened or that have taken place because of relatively minor issues which should really be dealt with privately.
Watching Sunday Morning (the formerly Marr one) I think Gordon Brown made a good point when interviewed about the need for a three year plan, not just one year. I dare say offering a pay increase of x% this year, y% the following year, and z% the year after may help with the pay side of things for the next few years. Also the
BBC Reality Check on how much workers are paid was quite good at explaining the differences between the figures the government and RMT are quoting.
There does seem to be a quite a few outdated practices though, which arguable should be overhauled. It's in this areas where the RMT can come across as being less reasonable, compared to the pay issue.
On a related note it amuses me when the unions have previously claimed strikes relating to train guards is about 'safety'. Having used Thameslink / Great Northern trains for decades I can't recall the last time they had guards (or whatever they're now called) on the actual trains, despite the current stock being 12 carriages long. They do however have a member of staff at my local station, who goes between the two main platforms to effectively act as a guard to signal trains to go as well as assist passengers on/off.