Locomotive Journal 

April 2003

Rest Day row rumbles on

The rest day working debated goes on, But let’s put a perspective on it, if as some say it should be an individual’s right to work to earn extra income, that’s fair enough. But do you support your company council in their quest to improve the salary of those who do not work rest days and enjoy their quality time of.

For many years we have fought as a Trade Union to get quality time off, time away from work, along with the drive to increase establishments at the depots, thus improving job

prospects for the unemployed along with other grades in the railway industry becoming drivers.

Increasing establishments improves many things, it allows drivers to get their annual leave that they are entitled to over and above the normal as per their DRI, it allows for drivers on-going training as well. The arguments that others and I read about are just the tip of the iceberg, some drivers have stated they cannot live on the salary. What on earth are they going to do when the rest days dry up.

Management at South Central have been guilty of encouraging drivers to work their rest days, encouraging drivers to rely on extra earnings. This happened when we lost any agreement to work rest days other than on training as agreed as per DRI and this has gone on ever since I have to ask are you prepared to stand with those of us who are striving to improve our salary for a 35 hour week, striving to improve working conditions and yet some that are working rest days complain about turn length.

We are now told that the average life of a driver is 15 years, some it would seem have the attitude “live for today, tomorrow I might not be here.” Some of us do not live under that illusion some of us seek to improve our working lot. So that we can enjoy our quality time off and enjoy a wage, that reflects the skill and pressure of the job.

Give power to your company councils and stop working rest days, otherwise put up or shut up is all you can do when you moan about the conditions.

R Dorkings

Barnham Branch

Locomotive Journal 

December 2003

Gatwick Express drivers’ strikes begin

ASLEF members at Gatwick Express are to take part in a series of 24-hour strikes

on 28 November, 8 December, 24 December and 31 December.

Drivers voted by nine to one to walk out in protest at the offer of a two-year 7.5 per cent pay offer for qualified drivers. ASLEF says the offer meant a first year 25 per cent cut in pay for new recruits and 10 per cent in the second. The union wants a 6 per cent annual rise for the 50 drivers on the route, saying employees at Gatwick Express need to close the gap with other operators.

District secretary Steve Grant says there would be massive turnover rates at

the company because of comparatively low pay.

“Some people stay with the company for family reasons, but many simply cross the platform to increase their wages by up to £3,000 a year.”

Steve Grant said a deal had been struck with local management but it had been vetoed by the parent National Express board, although the company had been making “vast profits” and drivers were among the lowest paid in the industry.