So yesterday evening I received an email from a railway contact. Network Rail are seeking ex-signallers to step up to help keep things running. Apparently they are very short in my part of the world.
Given that my self-employed work has been blown out of the water, I thought “why not?” Sure there are hurdles – it’s been a long time and I would need to get back up to speed. And the thought of twelve hour night turns doesn’t exactly fill my soul with unbridled joy. But, these are interesting times and in interesting times, we have to do things we might otherwise choose not to do.
I spoke to an old contact this morning and he told me that the RMT is opposing this idea.
Okay, so lapsed competence is an issue. I have a background in competence management, so I’m well aware of competence fade. However, it can be regained with development and the obvious solution is to train up on a low grade panel or box to release one of the regular staff to step up elsewhere. And I’ve had instances in recent years to call upon my signalling background when developing signalling competence systems for depot workers at Ilford and more recently Old Oak Common. So it hasn’t all faded away.
I have a small pension coming in, so if I tighten my belt, I am in a better place than many of my fellow self-employed colleagues. However, I am passionate about the railway and was fully prepared to step in and help out – even if it does mean going back to night turns for a while. But if I’m not wanted, then that’s sad.
What will the RMT do when its members get sick and there is no one to step in?
I’m disappointed. But not entirely surprised. The RMT has a track record of being obstructive and if it is a toss up between more overtime for their members or the needs of the industry as a whole, I know which way they would make the call.
Whatever it is- they’re against it!
That’s Marxist thinking for you- Groucho Marx
The only Marx with any sense.
That’s so sadly typical…
Yes, it is. A time when help is needed and they play petty politics. I am not remotely surprised by this as they have form when it comes to poor behaviour.
I’m amazed the RMT has’t been sorted out yet.
A “trade” union playing up for its own ends during a national crisis . . . well I never, who’d a thunkit. Just don’t mention WW2.
http://www.unionhistory.info/timeline/1939_1945.php
Or a non-RMT doing a job no RMT wants to do even if overtime rate
If Rail industry & Gov’t have sense they’ll use this crisis to call RMT’s bluff as public would be willing to lynh RMT
Oh, they are certainly out of step here.
As an ex-railway man (retired) myself, I have a few memories of RMT’s shenanigans – none are enjoyable memories.
Oh, for good old days, when Sid Weighell was the Gen. Sec. of my union….
At least ASLEF recognised that instead of saying ‘all out brothers’ at the drop of a hat (ala Bob Crow, Mick Cash), asking, ‘OK, what’re you going to give us for accepting this’ was more beneficial to the members.
Then privatisation came along – “the best thing that ever happened to Train Drivers”.