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Post by aslefshrugged on May 2, 2021 10:46:29 GMT
The problem with the TO23 grade is that very few of them want to stay TO23s, the majority only take the job as a stepping stone to TO21 after their initial period (6 months, a year, can't remember) so there is a constant turnover which must create a lot of extra admin. With a shortage of TO21s and political pressure from above its fairly understandable why management would want to scrap the TO23 grade and have as many as possible convert to TO21s. Ideally they'd scrap Night Tube too but once again that would be politically damaging for the Mayor, etc. so isn't an option.
Management want it, the TO23s want it and as PiccNT noted earlier RMTs opposition to the proposal is resulting in some members leaving so ASLEF are happy as they're getting more members (unless TO21s start going to RMT)
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Post by aslefshrugged on May 2, 2021 10:19:58 GMT
That's not what the internal email said, rather RMT wanted more discussion.
Expanding the strike makes no sense, If they can't get Hainault to go on strike why would they imagine they could get other lines to do so?
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Post by aslefshrugged on May 2, 2021 1:53:04 GMT
There's a lot of praise for ASLEF over this night tube amalgamation with full timers business.... Many of us ASLEF members are unimpressed with the situation as the whole thing has been instigated by ASLEF and, following a number of meetings, an agreement has made by ASLEF with LU. When did they consult with their members before deciding to go to LU and set all this up?! It's no surprise that RMT haven't managed to get involved - ASLEF have taken it upon themselves to cook this whole thing up with LU without seeking any sort of mandate to do so! The whole thing has been instigated by TfL, they are desperately short of drivers and are under pressure from the government/Mayor of London to recover from Covid as soon as possible. The quickest way to do that is to convert as many TO23s into TO21s as possible, cutting out the recruitment and training stages. ASLEF never wanted part-time drivers but they wouldn't agree to us doing Night Tube without additional payments after the "transition period". The part timers were management's idea when ASLEF wouldn't accept their original offer. ASLEF represent the majority of train ops, RMT just rubber stamp whatever ASLEF agrees and then says they we forced to accept it as the smaller union
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Post by aslefshrugged on May 1, 2021 14:42:20 GMT
According to the proposal the Night Tube shifts will be roughly every 12 weeks on the roster but obviously those who don't want to work them are concerned that they won't be able to swap them through the Mafias, etc. ASLEF support the proposals but RMT wouldn't even attend the last Trains Functional Council meeting or provide any feedback from the proposals so the issue is being escalated to Company Council. Rumours that the reduced peak time service on W&C will have 14 duties, down from the current 20 so some of the Drain regulars are moaning that there won't be enough to go around and they'll have to do more work on the Main! The horror, the horror... My respect for the RMT continues to decrease, at least ASLEF are engaging. I understand to some extent that those who don't like working at a certain time (for instance they may have arranged childcare around a regular pattern) will object, however I have little sympathy for those whose shift times will hardly change but will just be expected to actually do their job. Under the current TO21 framework agreement driving trains in passenger service between 01:30 and 04:30 is not actually part of our job unless it's a "Special event" like New Year's Eve, its voluntary and we get paid double. RMT's problem is they represent all grades, if they agreed to additional payments for train drivers then station staff, etc. will ask why they aren't getting additional payments. ASLEF only represents train drivers so station staff, etc. isn't an issue
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Post by aslefshrugged on May 1, 2021 10:08:28 GMT
Page 5 of the Proposal says "The allocation of night tube duties at depots that have fixed shift links will be discussed by the level one committee." As none of this will come into effect until next year at the earliest that gives management and unions (well, ASLEF) plenty of time to sort out the details
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Post by aslefshrugged on May 1, 2021 8:50:09 GMT
Back in 2015 management wanted Night Tube to be part of the "full-time roster", in July that year they offered a £500 bonus to all grades working on Night Tube lines plus Train Operators got a £200 bonus for every NT shift worked during the transition period which would have been a year or there abouts. If the unions had accepted that deal Night Tube would have started in September 2015 and we'd have been working Night Tube at the standard rate for the last five years.
Instead they hired the part timers who will now have the opportunity to go full time and we'll be getting the equivalent of 3 days pay for working two night shifts. According to the proposal the Night Tube shifts will be roughly every 12 weeks on the roster but obviously those who don't want to work them are concerned that they won't be able to swap them through the Mafias, etc. ASLEF support the proposals but RMT wouldn't even attend the last Trains Functional Council meeting or provide any feedback from the proposals so the issue is being escalated to Company Council.
Rumours that the reduced peak time service on W&C will have 14 duties, down from the current 20 so some of the Drain regulars are moaning that there won't be enough to go around and they'll have to do more work on the Main!
The horror, the horror...
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 30, 2021 17:38:34 GMT
The Evening Standard have woken up, probably got a press release from TfL
Not sure about "customers should complete their journeys on the Central line by 23:30 on Wednesday 5 May", all the Hainault night turns will be booking on and I think 3 of the 4 Leytonstone nights are ASLEF so I don't see why we would need to cancel any trains.
Management do seem to eager to stop the service early whenever there's a strike on, almost as if they want to inconvenience passengers...
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 28, 2021 11:20:25 GMT
so possibly he booked off with the Train Manager at Leytonstone, White City, etc. Who would I presume be unaware the D&A team were at Loughton? Good question. No idea. Some TMs seem unsure what's happening at their depot, let alone other depots...
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 28, 2021 11:08:35 GMT
As an outsider I'd make the following observation: You obviously cannot have staff bypassing D&A testing simply by saying they are ill and going home. On the other hand, if someone is feeling seriously unwell (and you can feel extremely ill from quite trivial causes - especially with food poisoning), you can't expect them to concern themselves with getting a D&A test. Surely, in a situation such as this, the obvious, sensible, and fair, thing to do would be to send a doctor the the staff member's home to perform the required test (or certify that s/he is genuinely too ill to take it.) It's a difficult one, as the official process puts the onus on the manager overseeing the test to determine whether someone is "genuinely ill" or not. Clearly that is putting quite a burden of responsibility on someone who isn't a doctor. The D&A process isn't quite as watertight as one might think. If D&A are called when there's suspicions and the person books off, it does become a bit of a case of who said what and when, especially if there aren't copious witnesses about - bearing in mind some crew depots can be quite quiet places at certain times of day. As I mentioned the driver had already started his shift and the claim is that he did not know that the D&A team were at Loughton before he booked off sick with - I am told - "Covid-like symptoms". From memory most Loughton duties have meal reliefs at other depots as Loughton is quite small and doesn't have a canteen so possibly he booked off with the Train Manager at Leytonstone, White City, etc. As far as sending a D&A team to his home address I believe there are circumstances that allow that but I think at that point BTP would have to be involved. As for sending a doctor to check if he was really ill I'm not sure that would be legal but even if it was I don't think we have any doctors on the payroll apart from the medical staff at Occupational Health.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 27, 2021 11:45:54 GMT
I have realised that as a "late" the D&A are always going to be there before I book on but that wouldn't be the case with "dead earlies".
6 years, 8 months and 12 days to retirement but the brain is already slowing down...
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 26, 2021 22:56:36 GMT
3-2-1 we're back in the room
The RMT rep at Loughton has been sacked for failing to attend drugs and alcohol testing although its not that simple. As I understand it he booked on for work as normal, felt unwell part way through his shift and booked off sick. The D&A team were at Loughton that day, he was among the "random" list of those to be tested but rather than going back to the accommodation block he went straight home. There is a rumour that he stopped off at the Loughton Station Supervisors' office to use the toilet and vomited on the floor (sorry).
What is odd is that normally the D&A team arrive before you book on, your duty is covered by a spare while you are tested and in my 18 years on trains I have never heard of anyone starting their shift then being tested after they've done part of it.
RMT claim that he's been victimised because he's a rep, they held a ballot and on Friday they announced a one day strike at Leytonstone, Loughton, West Ruislip and White City depots with no one booking on between 21:00 Wednesday 5th May 2021 until 20:59 hours on Thursday 6th May 2021. The ballot at Hainault depot did not meet the threshold so they have not been included in the action (45 eligible to vote, only 22 voted so less than 50% already, 12 for strike, 10 against).
And yes, its election day.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 26, 2021 7:38:51 GMT
Trains terminating via the sidings don't open the doors to Platform 2 so that staff closing up the train only have to do one side. If they had to close up both sides it would take longer and would delay the service
If you wrote to "customer service" I imagine they'd tell you that delaying the trains would inconvenience more passengers than not opening both sets of doors.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 26, 2021 5:18:27 GMT
Some do terminate on the Platform 3 bay road (Platform 3½?), in which case you take the subway to Platform 2 (or use the next eastbound District Line train as mentioned above). Or easier still if you need the lift don't get on a train terminating at Barking.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 24, 2021 11:57:55 GMT
The doors don't open on Platform 2 if the train is terminating and reversing via the sidings, in that case you are supposed to use the subway but I've seen people with buggies waiting on Platform 3 for the next District Line train and then go through it to Platform 2.
Obviously the easiest thing to do is to get on a train that's going to Dagenham East or Upminster instead of one terminating at Barking.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 23, 2021 13:28:17 GMT
Then they'll have lots of fun when the gateline is moved and the lift is "paid side".
Slightly different situation but before the gateline at Stratford went live people used to just walk in and get on trains then one morning in May 1999 they found their way barred by ticket gates. The queue for the ticket office went half the way across the plaza towards the bus station. Some passengers asked to be allowed through the gateline so they could catch the North London line (Silverlink) claiming they'd never needed a ticket before and thought it was free.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 22, 2021 16:37:57 GMT
If you follow that link "Drawings PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR PLAN" show that the existing gateline will be moved toward the entrance so that the lift is on the "paid" side.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 22, 2021 12:21:54 GMT
There is a sign next to the lift at platform level... ...but when you press the lift call button the doors open and the lift goes up. However when I walked past the ticket barrier I noticed a rather substantial member of staff posted in the lift alcove although I didn't ask whether he was there to check tickets or not.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 22, 2021 8:19:08 GMT
On Platform 1/2 there is (or at least there was) a sign saying you have to contact staff via a help point to activate the lift. I'm going there later this morning, I'll check to see if it's still there.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 21, 2021 8:13:59 GMT
The lift is the wrong side of the gateline, it was originally a freight lift only used by station staff
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 20, 2021 9:48:44 GMT
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 10, 2021 9:52:38 GMT
I don't think anyone wants to be the "the Mayor who got rid of Night Tube" considering how Ken was labelled "the Mayor who got rid of the Routemaster".
At the Night Tube meeting last week ASLEF put forward a proposal that Night Tube duties should be incorporated into the full time roster, that drivers working those shifts should be paid 50% extra for the hours worked outside the current agreed parameters and that any of the part-timers that wanted to go full time can do so while those that want to stick to part time "will be accommodated using reasonable adjustments to allow them to retain employment". We've not heard what management thought of it but if I hear anything I'll pass it on.
On the subject of Routemasters it seems that TfL have quietly killed off Heritage route 15. In 2019 they cut the service from daily to weekends and Bank Holidays March - September but it didn't run last year due to Covid and they didn't renew the contract with Stagecoach. Apparently passenger numbers had been falling and it was costing £11 per passenger to operate, with money tight at TfL is was regarded as an unnecessary expense. Bit of a shame.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 9, 2021 12:35:02 GMT
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 7, 2021 15:36:29 GMT
I took the Goblin from Leyton Midland Road to Barking around 12 noon today, it was busier than I've seen it at any time since March last year - I've been doing this trip every week to do grocery shopping for Old Mother shrugged who still lives in the 'Nam. It might be because the schools are out for Easter but passenger numbers appear to be going up although still a long way from "normal".
From the ASLEF whatsapp, there's a meeting tomorrow between LUL management and Trains Functional Council to discuss Night Tube. Also yesterday I met a Night Tube trainee who had restarted training they started last year but was paused due to Covid. A lot of NT TOps have gone full time but it seems that numbers are being kept up
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 6, 2021 21:43:09 GMT
We've definitely been busier over the last couple of weeks. I lost my "door closed visual" a few times this evening because some muppet leaning on the doors, I didn't have that once from the start of lockdown in March last year until last week.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 4, 2021 20:49:34 GMT
The first mention in the RMT bulletins was December 2019, local reps would have been making management aware of the issues many months before they passed it up the chain although one of the later complaints was that management were refusing to recognise RMT reps so that might have been part of the problem
From my own personal experience as a H&S rep on the JLE stations I can testify to LUL management's ostrich-like approach to accommodation problems; ignore it in the hope it goes away.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 4, 2021 10:53:35 GMT
Along with shutting down various bits of the Sub Surface network there seems to be a lot wrong at Hammersmith.
Back in December 2019 there was a mention in a RMT bulletin of "appalling conditions"
Despite raising the issues with management by July 2020 RMT were preparing to ballot members and the grievances were listed as:- It certainly sounds as if HSCC is somewhat less than perfect, I wonder if they resurrected the same design team that designed the Jubilee Line Extension stations which we're impressive from the public-side but were bloody awful for those of us who had to work there.
On top of that there were disagreements about retired staff being rehired through an agency on zero hour contracts, that RMT reps weren't recognised by management, the imposition of a new roster, staff shortages plus a reduction in the number of SLC1s and SLC2s (I know nothing about the grades, someone else will have to explain that).
In January 2021 RMT balloted members with unanimous support for strike action but as yet no action seems to have been taken
Last Thursday management asked for an "avoidance of dispute' meeting with union reps claiming that "they have a comprehensive proposal to make which will resolve all matters in the current dispute"
Only took them 16 months...
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 3, 2021 23:01:50 GMT
I've been down the Waterloo & City twice in the last 12 months, as long as we go down there to do a few trips and some shunt moves every six months we don't need refresher training I was thinking of those high risk people returning on 21 June, and not just W&C but control rooms, and generally. There aren't many high risk people in the Waterloo control room but then there aren't many people in the Waterloo control room at any time, mostly because there's not a lot of controlling to do! The busiest I've ever seen it is three people in there at the same time and one of them was making the tea. My local ASLEF Rep says 21 June is a rumour, nothing has been confirmed and London Underground is by far the worst place I have ever worked in my entire life for rumours.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 3, 2021 18:19:39 GMT
Indeed. Leytonstone has 98 roster weeks most of which have W&C duties mixed in with Central Line duties (most have one W&C and four Central, some have two and three, a few have three and two).
There are around 140 TOps and any of us could be required to work the W&C at any time. Retraining us all from scratch would be a nightmare so management had the foresight (for once!!!!) of sending us down to the W&C before our six months elapsed.
We don't do a full shift down there, no timetable as such, we just bring a train out, run it up and down for a bit then put it away. I was there early March with two other TOps, between us we moved all five trains and did just about every possible move you could do; it was like shuffling cards with trains
Night Tube drivers are not W&C trained
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Post by aslefshrugged on Apr 3, 2021 14:18:51 GMT
“high risk” category can still choose not to return and will continue to receive LU sick pay until 21 June SNAP!!! Doesn't allow any refresher training time, though! I've been down the Waterloo & City twice in the last 12 months, as long as we go down there to do a few trips and some shunt moves every six months we don't need refresher training
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Post by aslefshrugged on Nov 9, 2020 4:49:26 GMT
PEDs were only installed on the "tunnel section" stations on the Jubilee Line Extension, not on the three "open section" stations - Canning Town, West Ham and Stratford. When I was training to work on the JLE (Feb/Mar 1999) we were told that the primary reason for installing PEDS was to improve ventilation by reducing the "tunnel wind" effect (obviously not a problem in open section) and to reduce the amount of combustible materials on the track. Reducing passenger "intrusions" on the track was a secondary benefit. Of course, they would say that wouldn't they? They don't want to have to put them everywhere. Recovering casualties from under trains is hardest at deep level platforms where you can't easily get under either side of the train but only from either end to work along, or drop between car ends. It was easier to split trains back in the 1950s but not with modern multiple unit trains. Why would "they" say that? PEDs were installed on eight of the 11 JLE stations, it can't have been that much more expensive or difficult to have installed them on the three "open section" stations. "One unders" are relatively rare and no more likely at JLE stations than elsewhere, why bother to fit PEDs at all when there's a driver in the cab to activate the emergency brake? West Ham and Canning Town JLE are island platforms with the DLR (ex-Silverlink to North Woolwich) on the other side of the westbound track. If they'd wanted better track access on the JLE tunnel section stations they could have built it. Splitting units is part of driver training, we get regular refresher courses as part of CDP/ATOR/5-day block where we split a train in the depot and it doesn't take that long. The obvious problem with splitting a train during a "one under" is traction current will be discharged and you can't move trains without "juice".
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