Quote Originally Posted by BCram View Post
I think there is something in this comment. I don't know how the rail franchises work but the basic principle seems to be under threat. trying to draw any politician into the discussion needs to be carefully considered and strike action is such a broad weapon for sharing the misery that I think they need to be careful.

I would like to know if the union bosses believe that the "commuter based business plan" is actually on the way out. I saw a statistic that siad only 54% of the total work force in the country was back full time in their business premises. That's a massive drop in passenger numbers and no amouint of efficiency savings and cuts in executive pay or suspension of dividends would make even a start to balance the books. The bus companies seem to be suffering as well, so perhpas strike action is actually the very worst thing the RMT could do to try to restore the train business.
It's not really the unions job to restore faith in the rail network, its their job to look after its members. The problem of dwindling train use would be the problem of the rail companies. Rail companies have been ripping off its customers for years, and its customers are not happy.

If they want more people on trains,cutting staff won't do that, cutting prices will. Take less profit, provide a quality product,and do it at an affordable price,without trying to rip people off.

I was looking to catch a train to the south of England recently, quoted £897 for two. Then the price went down £300 which is still way over the cost of driving but why was the first quote 3 times the second?

I get companies want to make money,but it seems to me that many companies are cutting back the service they provide, while complaining about falling customer numbers.

Reducing the quality of service you provide will always do that as we have seen ourselves at dens. Then revenue falls and the first thing to go is staff,which reduces the customer experience further,and a downward spiral is the outcome.

The RMT are actually striking to try and maintain the service we get now,while avoiding job cuts and getting a half decent pay deal,which would still be a real terms pay cut.

And on top of that, they are trying to deal with the current transport secretary,a known con man, who should never be trusted in anything he does.


Rail strikes will not help the railways obviously,but they might help railway workers secure a deal that saves jobs. I back them 100%