Posted 19th July 2012 | 4 Comments
Threat of rail strikes during Olympics
DRIVERS at East Midlands Trains are planning to strike for three days in early August. The action, if it takes place, could affect train services during the Olympics fortnight.
The planned walkouts on 6, 7, and 8 August are the latest development in a long-running dispute over changes to pension contributions, and the action is being dubbed as a 'kick in the teeth for passengers' by EMT.
Aslef is opposing plans to reduce pension fund contributions which would mean lower payments into the fund from both EMT and its staff, on the grounds that future benefits could be affected.
Talks have so far failed to produce a solution to the deadlock. Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "To cut pension contributions in the current climate is highly irresponsible," but EMT managing director David Horne accused the union of 'playing games'. He added: "It's a real kick in the teeth for our customers and the country during a time of great national pride."
More talks have been arranged for tomorrow.
Reader Comments:
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Louse n' Scouse, Nottinghamshire
Speaking as an EMT Driver and loyal, if disaffected aslef member for 25years.........
Looks like there is no joy with the talks again, and barring a late breakthrough, it looks like we'll be striking over the Olympics.
Thus far we've enjoyed a fair bit of support from the public and even the Government, but if these strikes go ahead then we'll lose all support and any moral highground we have.
Come on guys, lets postpone it until after the Olympics, or better still work to rule, which we can carry on for as long as it takes and will not result in compo from the Government.
I know we'll lose a bit of impact, but we'll keep our support. Do we really want to become top of the list of the most hated people in the Country? If we do this, then there are people out there who will not forget it, and we'll be in for even tougher times in the future.
Speaking for myself, i'd sooner we lose the fight but come out of it with our heads held high and our integrity intact and beyond reproach, than win but carry with us a sense of shame that we'd put the dampener on one of the greatest sporting events in the world when the eyes of the world are upon us, a move that would undoubtedly lead to greater sanctions on the trade union movement in this country as a whole.
Voice of reason, Nottingham
Actually MikeB, you are completely wrong, the dispute has not "been rumbling on for a few years". The facts are as follows, it's been rumbling on for a few months because ASLEF have prolonged it, all the other unions have seen the sense in the EMT proposals and have agreed to the compromise agreement. What is happening to the pension find is exactly what has always happened in the case of each regular review, the contributions go up or down according to the circumstances at the time, this is NO different. ASLEF are using their members for purely political ends and this is disgraceful.
MikeB, Liverpool
This dispute has been rumbling-on for quite a few years, which makes me think that the management at EMT must be somewhat inept if they have been unable to reach any sort of compromise with ASLEF after all this time.
Philip Russell, Carlisle
This crisis proves that a lot of the passenger railway industry ,despite privitisation , growth,a good safety record and good wages has been in a difficult position for a number of years now where all too often the unions especially in certain areas eg drivers and guards have been allowed to become too strong and dictatorial within their franchises whilst management sit back quietly seemingly scared to rock the boat or disrupt their fares income ,i hope for the good of the railway change comes soon .