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Post by superteacher on Nov 28, 2013 20:23:19 GMT
I've always been interested in split shifts, where a train crew would work during the morning and evening peaks, but be off duty during the midday off peak. I am aware that these shifts were abolished several years ago (does anyone know when?) but I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of anyone who actually worked them. I daresay that during the 1970's, there were quite a lot of them, particularly on the Met which had quite a big disparity between the amount of stock required for peak service when compared with the midday off peak.
I imagine that they weren't very popular with the crews as effectively, they would work a 14 hour day with a 6 hour break in between!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2013 20:52:32 GMT
Split shifts were like Marmite - love it or hate it. Most train crew depots had them (there were exceptions) and split shifts also extended to booking clerks (and maybe station staff?).
Insofar as train staff and booking clerks were concerned, they were paid right through at flat rate, which could mean anything from 10½ to 12 hours per day. So, those with a liking for money would snap them up (win, win) while those that didn't often tried to change over (as did I - screwed the day up totally).
In theory, if you worked an 8-hour Sunday (paid 16) and 5x12-hour split duties (paid 60). you could be paid 76 hours for the week.
As far as I can remember, split shifts were a victim of the "Company Plan" in the early-1990s. I am fairly sure that "doubling back" from finishing nights at 07.00 Monday and then back at 15.00 same day, ended around the same time, but maybe others may correct me on this.
As a matter of interest, and rather off-topic, Glasgow Subway drivers are rostered some split shifts - but don't get paid for the bit in the middle. So, not a good payer and day screwed up - lose, lose.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2013 20:55:40 GMT
Split shifts ended in December 92 under the company plan far from being unpopular many crew chased them as you got paid for the middle bit when you weren't at work so it meant a big pay day then as you were getting 12 hours pay a day and working 4 to 6 hours. Certain depots particularly on the met and district still had assist prepare turns where a drivers job was to help prepare trains for service the odd split shift had this as the front half of the turn so you did even less handle turning- never a bad thing. Splits were also worked by railmen on the stations these ended at the same time
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Post by revupminster on Nov 28, 2013 21:40:29 GMT
lots of booking offices had split shifts, typically you would work 7.00 to 10.00 to cover the am peak and meal relief of the early turn and back at 12.30 to take the early turn off and work until 17.00 when the late turn came on. Cover clerks did not like them if they had been sent from the other end of the line to cover a duty as there was no way of going home in between.
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Post by superteacher on Nov 28, 2013 22:45:58 GMT
Thanks guys, some really interesting stuff in there. I certainly wasn't aware that you got paid for the bit in the middle; I can see why the Company Plan wouldn't like that!
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Post by rheostar on Nov 29, 2013 5:58:45 GMT
I am fairly sure that "doubling back" from finishing nights at 07.00 Monday and then back at 15.00 same day, ended around the same time, but maybe others may correct me on this. . . Fortunately, I never had to 'double back' as a T/Op, but I did as a manager up to about 1994 I think it was. Finishing a night shift at 06:00 on a Monday morning then back in for the 14:00 late shift was a killer. My older colleagues thought it was a good idea as they didn't finish nights on their rest day. Personally, it still makes me shudder 20 odd years later!! I used to like the split shifts as it paid well (60 hours) and I didn't live too far from my depot so going home for the bit in the middle was rather nice. |
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towerman
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Post by towerman on Nov 29, 2013 13:15:25 GMT
Split turns were on the same part of the roster as nights so there were always plenty of volunteers to change with if you peferred one to the other.
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Post by seaeagle on Nov 29, 2013 21:14:18 GMT
Hated split turns, living in Kent meant I had no chance to get home in the middle, and normally lead to myself and my guard ending up spending the hours in the middle playing pool in the local establishment that sold something stronger than soft drinks!!! In the later years I gave away my split turns for nights.
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