Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
their ongoing dispute.

ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore other
transport options than rail.

--
Roland Perry

On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
> their ongoing dispute.
>
> ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore other
> transport options than rail.
>
Do you have a reference to assert your claims?

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
> their ongoing dispute.

There were no such rumours here. Everyone expected that the members would
vote to accept the offer.

What's interesting is the overwhelming yes vote (in a turnout of nearly
90%, members voted to accept by 76:24). That suggests that had earlier
offers been put to the members, they might also have been accepted, albeit
by smaller margins. It was the leadership who kept the strikes going even
when most of the members were fed up with them.

In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1 Dec
2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:

>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>their ongoing dispute.

>> ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore other
>>transport options than rail.
>>
>Do you have a reference to assert your claims?

Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream media.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1 Dec
> 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>
>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>> their ongoing dispute.
>
>>> ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore other
>>> transport options than rail.
>>>
>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>
> Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream media.

What developments today? The RMT story was yesterday's news.

On 01/12/2023 09:40, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1 Dec
> 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>
>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>> their ongoing dispute.
>
>>>  ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore other
>>> transport options than rail.
>>>
>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>
> Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream media.

I've read two reports. Neither of them say anything even close to
convincing people to explore other transport options than rail. Where
did you read this.

My experience is that its the long term blockades which has that effect.
Severn Tunnel Junction to Cheltenham has been closed for the past two
school summer holidays and Bristol Temple Meads railway station the
summer before that. One can usually work ones way around the odd strike
but not a six week blockade.

Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
> On 01/12/2023 09:40, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1 Dec
>> 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>>
>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>>> their ongoing dispute.
>>
>>>>  ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore other
>>>> transport options than rail.
>>>>
>>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>>
>> Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream media.
>
> I've read two reports. Neither of them say anything even close to
> convincing people to explore other transport options than rail. Where
> did you read this.
>
> My experience is that its the long term blockades which has that effect.
> Severn Tunnel Junction to Cheltenham has been closed for the past two
> school summer holidays and Bristol Temple Meads railway station the
> summer before that. One can usually work ones way around the odd strike
> but not a six week blockade.
>

As a data point of one, I shall continue to use EasyJet Birmingham to
Glasgow whilst there is still the threat of industrial action on the
railways.

In message <ukcb8v$1qthp$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:07:27 on Fri, 1 Dec
2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>On 01/12/2023 09:40, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1 Dec
>>2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>>
>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just
>>>>settled their ongoing dispute.
>>
>>>>  ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore
>>>>other transport options than rail.
>>>>
>>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?

>> Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream
>>media.
>
>I've read two reports. Neither of them say anything even close to
>convincing people to explore other transport options than rail. Where
>did you read this.

The only possible motivation for ASLEF is to persuade people never ever
to consider catching a train, unless as an extreme-distress purchase.

>My experience is that its the long term blockades which has that
>effect. Severn Tunnel Junction to Cheltenham has been closed for the
>past two school summer holidays and Bristol Temple Meads railway
>station the summer before that. One can usually work ones way around
>the odd strike but not a six week blockade.

The line just south of Cambridge (so both Liverpool St and Kings Cross
trains) has been bustituted up to three weekends in four for the last
several months.
--
Roland Perry

In message <IPhaN.87461$OAC8.26087@fx09.ams1>, at 09:37:44 on Fri, 1 Dec
2023, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>> their ongoing dispute.
>
>There were no such rumours here.

Don't be ridiculous, in the last couple of weeks you posted a sarcastic
comment to the effect I'd not noticed the RMT dispute was settled in the
Spring.

Nice try, but no cigar!

--
Roland Perry

Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>> their ongoing dispute.
>>
>> ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore other
>> transport options than rail.
>>
> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>

The RMT dispute is not 'settled' as such; the current industrial action is
called off as a pay deal for *2022* has been agreed; 2023's pay deal
negotiations and potential T&C changes begin in early 2024 at TOC level.

ASLEF haven't been offered the same agreement as the RMT has; if that were
offered I feel confident that the forthcoming action would be postponed
while it was put to a vote [1].

[1] ASLEF's rules (agreed and voted on by the members) state that a pay
deal cannot be put to the membership if the recommendation from the
Executive Committee is that members should reject it; that's why none of
the previous offers have been put to ballot.

Anna Noyd-Dryver

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>> their ongoing dispute.
>
> There were no such rumours here. Everyone expected that the members would
> vote to accept the offer.
>
> What's interesting is the overwhelming yes vote (in a turnout of nearly
> 90%, members voted to accept by 76:24). That suggests that had earlier
> offers been put to the members, they might also have been accepted, albeit
> by smaller margins.

Doubtful, because they were accompanied by T&C changes, unlike the offer
which has been accepted.

Anna Noyd-Dryver

On Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:58:51 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

>In message <IPhaN.87461$OAC8.26087@fx09.ams1>, at 09:37:44 on Fri, 1 Dec
>2023, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>
>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>> their ongoing dispute.
>>
>>There were no such rumours here.
>
>Don't be ridiculous, in the last couple of weeks you posted a sarcastic
>comment to the effect I'd not noticed the RMT dispute was settled in the
>Spring.

As, indeed it was.

>
>Nice try, but no cigar!

Huh? Just because you're confused by the fragmented rail industry doesn't mean that the rest of us are.

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <IPhaN.87461$OAC8.26087@fx09.ams1>, at 09:37:44 on Fri, 1 Dec
> 2023, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>
>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>> their ongoing dispute.
>>
>> There were no such rumours here.
>
> Don't be ridiculous, in the last couple of weeks you posted a sarcastic
> comment to the effect I'd not noticed the RMT dispute was settled in the
> Spring.
>
> Nice try, but no cigar!
>

It was pointed out that the RMT dispute with Network Rail was settled in
the spring. There has been an ongoing (until yesterday) RMT dispute with
most of the TOCs.

On 01/12/2023 12:56, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <ukcb8v$1qthp$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:07:27 on Fri, 1 Dec
> 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>> On 01/12/2023 09:40, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1 Dec
>>> 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just
>>>>> settled  their ongoing dispute.
>>>
>>>>>  ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore
>>>>> other  transport options than rail.
>>>>>
>>>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>
>>>  Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream media.
>>
>> I've read two reports.  Neither of them say anything even close to
>> convincing people to explore other transport options than rail.  Where
>> did you read this.
>
> The only possible motivation for ASLEF is to persuade people never ever
> to consider catching a train, unless as an extreme-distress purchase.

You now work for the Daily Mail?

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

In message <ukcunu$1tr0b$3@dont-email.me>, at 15:39:42 on Fri, 1 Dec
2023, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>On 01/12/2023 12:56, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <ukcb8v$1qthp$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:07:27 on Fri, 1 Dec
>>2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>>> On 01/12/2023 09:40, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>> In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1
>>>>Dec 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>>>>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just
>>>>>>settled  their ongoing dispute.
>>>>
>>>>>>  ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore
>>>>>>other  transport options than rail.
>>>>>>
>>>>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>>
>>>>  Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream
>>>>media.
>>>
>>> I've read two reports.  Neither of them say anything even close to
>>>convincing people to explore other transport options than rail. 
>>>Where did you read this.

>> The only possible motivation for ASLEF is to persuade people never
>>ever to consider catching a train, unless as an extreme-distress
>>purchase.
>
>You now work for the Daily Mail?

I've had stories printed in it, but being semi-retired I'd have to
re-engage with them (or find another freelance journalist who thought
the story had legs).
--
Roland Perry

In message <ukcm57$1sk80$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:13:11 on Fri, 1 Dec
2023, Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> remarked:
>Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>> their ongoing dispute.
>>>
>>> ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore other
>>> transport options than rail.
>>>
>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>>
>
>The RMT dispute is not 'settled' as such;

More low-rent journalism, then?

>the current industrial action is
>called off as a pay deal for *2022* has been agreed; 2023's pay deal
>negotiations and potential T&C changes begin in early 2024 at TOC level.
>
>ASLEF haven't been offered the same agreement as the RMT has; if that were
>offered I feel confident that the forthcoming action would be postponed
>while it was put to a vote [1].
>
>[1] ASLEF's rules (agreed and voted on by the members) state that a pay
>deal cannot be put to the membership if the recommendation from the
>Executive Committee is that members should reject it; that's why none of
>the previous offers have been put to ballot.
>
>
>Anna Noyd-Dryver
>

--
Roland Perry

In message <ukcqk6$1t8ro$1@dont-email.me>, at 14:29:26 on Fri, 1 Dec
2023, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>> In message <IPhaN.87461$OAC8.26087@fx09.ams1>, at 09:37:44 on Fri, 1 Dec
>> 2023, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>
>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>>> their ongoing dispute.
>>>
>>> There were no such rumours here.
>>
>> Don't be ridiculous, in the last couple of weeks you posted a sarcastic
>> comment to the effect I'd not noticed the RMT dispute was settled in the
>> Spring.
>>
>> Nice try, but no cigar!
>
>It was pointed out that the RMT dispute with Network Rail was settled in
>the spring.

That "small print" was omitted. Indeed our laid-back friend has
confirmed this afternoon that his opinion is nothing new has just been
agreed.

>There has been an ongoing (until yesterday) RMT dispute with
>most of the TOCs.

Yes, most of us understand that. There's just one refusenik.
--
Roland Perry

In message <o0njmitumrh303d5aqk14r77cn2nnfm8gi@4ax.com>, at 13:15:19 on
Fri, 1 Dec 2023, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>On Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:58:51 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>
>>In message <IPhaN.87461$OAC8.26087@fx09.ams1>, at 09:37:44 on Fri, 1 Dec
>>2023, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>
>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>>> their ongoing dispute.
>>>
>>>There were no such rumours here.
>>
>>Don't be ridiculous, in the last couple of weeks you posted a sarcastic
>>comment to the effect I'd not noticed the RMT dispute was settled in the
>>Spring.
>
>As, indeed it was.

Not according to the press this week. Or indeed the travelling public
who have endured cancelled trains all Summer due to the ongoing dispute.

>>Nice try, but no cigar!
>
>Huh? Just because you're confused by the fragmented rail industry
>doesn't mean that the rest of us are.

You seem to be the one most confused.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <o0njmitumrh303d5aqk14r77cn2nnfm8gi@4ax.com>, at 13:15:19 on
> Fri, 1 Dec 2023, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>> On Fri, 1 Dec 2023 12:58:51 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> In message <IPhaN.87461$OAC8.26087@fx09.ams1>, at 09:37:44 on Fri, 1 Dec
>>> 2023, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>>>> their ongoing dispute.
>>>>
>>>> There were no such rumours here.
>>>
>>> Don't be ridiculous, in the last couple of weeks you posted a sarcastic
>>> comment to the effect I'd not noticed the RMT dispute was settled in the
>>> Spring.
>>
>> As, indeed it was.
>
> Not according to the press this week.

Not the proper press, which you can't access.

> Or indeed the travelling public
> who have endured cancelled trains all Summer due to the ongoing dispute.

Different dispute, with different employers.

>
>>> Nice try, but no cigar!
>>
>> Huh? Just because you're confused by the fragmented rail industry
>> doesn't mean that the rest of us are.
>
> You seem to be the one most confused.

Oh dear, Roland. I realise you have more important things to worry about
than the rail industry, so why do you keep trying to pick silly fights you
can't win?

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <ukcqk6$1t8ro$1@dont-email.me>, at 14:29:26 on Fri, 1 Dec
> 2023, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <IPhaN.87461$OAC8.26087@fx09.ams1>, at 09:37:44 on Fri, 1 Dec
>>> 2023, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just settled
>>>>> their ongoing dispute.
>>>>
>>>> There were no such rumours here.
>>>
>>> Don't be ridiculous, in the last couple of weeks you posted a sarcastic
>>> comment to the effect I'd not noticed the RMT dispute was settled in the
>>> Spring.
>>>
>>> Nice try, but no cigar!
>>
>> It was pointed out that the RMT dispute with Network Rail was settled in
>> the spring.
>
> That "small print" was omitted.

No it wasn't. You just didn't understand the difference. If you wish to
provide a bumptious commentary on the rail industry without looking very
silly, you do need to make some effort to understand it.

> Indeed our laid-back friend has
> confirmed this afternoon that his opinion is nothing new has just been
> agreed.
>
>> There has been an ongoing (until yesterday) RMT dispute with
>> most of the TOCs.
>
> Yes, most of us understand that. There's just one refusenik.

Yes, you.

You seem not to know the difference between the RDG and NR. The RMT had
different disputes with both and separate series of strikes. The NR dispute
was settled months ago, and the RDG one this week. And, no, that won't stop
the drivers' strikes as very few of them are RMT members.

On 01/12/2023 12:56, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <ukcb8v$1qthp$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:07:27 on Fri, 1 Dec
> 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>> On 01/12/2023 09:40, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1 Dec
>>> 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just
>>>>> settled  their ongoing dispute.
>>>
>>>>>  ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore
>>>>> other  transport options than rail.
>>>>>
>>>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>
>>>  Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream media.
>>
>> I've read two reports.  Neither of them say anything even close to
>> convincing people to explore other transport options than rail.  Where
>> did you read this.
>
> The only possible motivation for ASLEF is to persuade people never ever
> to consider catching a train, unless as an extreme-distress purchase.

That's obviously in neither party's interest. A tactic for both sides
is to convince the other that, if they don't back down, no one will ever
buy a rail ticket again and they will be out of work/business.

>> My experience is that its the long term blockades which has that
>> effect.  Severn Tunnel Junction to Cheltenham has been closed for the
>> past two school summer holidays and Bristol Temple Meads railway
>> station the summer before that.  One can usually work ones way around
>> the odd strike but not a six week blockade.
>
> The line just south of Cambridge (so both Liverpool St and Kings Cross
> trains) has been bustituted up to three weekends in four for the last
> several months.

On 01/12/2023 12:56, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <ukcb8v$1qthp$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:07:27 on Fri, 1 Dec
> 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>> On 01/12/2023 09:40, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1 Dec
>>> 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just
>>>>> settled  their ongoing dispute.
>>>
>>>>>  ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore
>>>>> other  transport options than rail.
>>>>>
>>>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>
>>>  Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream media.
>>
>> I've read two reports.  Neither of them say anything even close to
>> convincing people to explore other transport options than rail.  Where
>> did you read this.
>
> The only possible motivation for ASLEF is to persuade people never ever
> to consider catching a train, unless as an extreme-distress purchase.
>
>> My experience is that its the long term blockades which has that
>> effect.  Severn Tunnel Junction to Cheltenham has been closed for the
>> past two school summer holidays and Bristol Temple Meads railway
>> station the summer before that.  One can usually work ones way around
>> the odd strike but not a six week blockade.
>
> The line just south of Cambridge (so both Liverpool St and Kings Cross
> trains) has been bustituted up to three weekends in four for the last
> several months.

Which is a lot more damaging that the odd day's strikes.

In message <ukd4t4$1ut2h$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:24:52 on Fri, 1 Dec
2023, Certes <Certes@example.org> remarked:

>> The only possible motivation for ASLEF is to persuade people never
>>ever to consider catching a train, unless as an extreme-distress
>>purchase.
>
>That's obviously in neither party's interest. A tactic for both sides
>is to convince the other that, if they don't back down, no one will
>ever buy a rail ticket again and they will be out of work/business.

The DfT will never be out-of-business (even if every train service is
scrapped), and the strategy clearly isn't working for the already
over-paid train drivers.
--
Roland Perry

In message <ukd5gm$1v0vp$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:35:18 on Fri, 1 Dec
2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>On 01/12/2023 12:56, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <ukcb8v$1qthp$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:07:27 on Fri, 1 Dec
>>2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>>> On 01/12/2023 09:40, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>> In message <ukc833$1qg06$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:13:06 on Fri, 1
>>>>Dec 2023, Coffee <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> remarked:
>>>>> On 01/12/2023 07:16, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> Despite recent rumours to the contrary here, the RMT has just
>>>>>>settled  their ongoing dispute.
>>>>
>>>>>>  ASLEF continue in their campaign to convince people to explore
>>>>>>other  transport options than rail.
>>>>>>
>>>>> Do you have a reference to assert your claims?
>>
>>>>  Which claims? Today's developments are all over the main stream
>>>>media.
>>>
>>> I've read two reports.  Neither of them say anything even close to
>>>convincing people to explore other transport options than rail. 
>>>Where did you read this.

>> The only possible motivation for ASLEF is to persuade people never
>>ever to consider catching a train, unless as an extreme-distress
>>purchase.
>>
>>> My experience is that its the long term blockades which has that
>>>effect.  Severn Tunnel Junction to Cheltenham has been closed for the
>>>past two school summer holidays and Bristol Temple Meads railway
>>>station the summer before that.  One can usually work ones way around
>>>the odd strike but not a six week blockade.

>> The line just south of Cambridge (so both Liverpool St and Kings
>>Cross trains) has been bustituted up to three weekends in four for
>>the last several months.
>
>Which is a lot more damaging that the odd day's strikes.

To some extent, yes, but at least those bustitutions are announced
months in advance, so people might be able not to do things like book
theatre tickets in London those days.

Meanwhile, on those weekend-engineering days you can at least get a
bustituted service, even if it means adding 2hrs each way to the trip.
On strike days the TOCs throw in the towel and say "you are shit out of
luck, byebye".
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <ukd4t4$1ut2h$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:24:52 on Fri, 1 Dec
> 2023, Certes <Certes@example.org> remarked:
>
>>> The only possible motivation for ASLEF is to persuade people never
>>> ever to consider catching a train, unless as an extreme-distress
>>> purchase.
>>
>> That's obviously in neither party's interest. A tactic for both sides
>> is to convince the other that, if they don't back down, no one will
>> ever buy a rail ticket again and they will be out of work/business.
>
> The DfT will never be out-of-business (even if every train service is
> scrapped), and the strategy clearly isn't working for the already
> over-paid train drivers.

Yes, the government seems relaxed about rail strikes in the run up to the
election, and it'll no doubt remind voters that unions (including ASKEF)
fund and influence the Labour Party. So it's in no mood to compromise.
And, as you say, train drivers are very well paid, and can afford to lose
some overtime.

For example:
<https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/property/buy-to-let/money-makeover-38-train-driver-earning-90000-landlord/>