Southern rail pledges to run full service next week as strike talks get underway January 18, 2017 Southern rail has pledged to run its full service from next Tuesday, as talks aimed at finally resolving the dispute between train drivers' union Aslef and Southern rail kick off today. But the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union won't be involved. The talks, to be chaired by Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary Frances [...]
Train drivers’ union Aslef suspends all upcoming Southern rail strikes as train operator agrees to new talks January 17, 2017 Train drivers' union Aslef will suspend industrial action on Southern rail, after the train operator agreed to new talks, starting tomorrow. The union's general secretary Mick Whelan said: "I am today proposing a new process to find a resolution to our industrial dispute with Southern." Whelan added: "Aslef believes that the best way to resolve the dispute at [...]
Abellio agrees to sell 40 per cent of Greater Anglia franchise to Japanese firm Mitsui January 17, 2017 Abellio is selling 40 per cent of its Greater Anglia rail franchise to Japanese firm Mitsui. Managing director Dominic Booth said the company had "fulfilled our long-standing objective" of running the franchise as a 60:40 joint venture and the deal will deliver "significant improvements" for Greater Anglia's customers. Abellio won the Greater Anglia franchise again [...]
Are you travelling with Britain’s worst train operator? Here’s the definitive list January 17, 2017 Southern's customer satisfaction has plummeted on everything from punctuality to reliability and seat availability. According to Which?'s annual rail survey, the train operator recorded its lowest ever score of 21 per cent customer satisfaction, down from 44 per cent last year. It received one star ratings for seat availability, frequency, punctuality, reliability and value for [...]
Tube talks between RMT, TSSA and London Underground adjourn as threat of further strikes looms over capital January 16, 2017 Negotiations aimed at averting more Tube strikes were adjourned today, leaving the threat of industrial action looming over the capital. Talks will resume on Wednesday between officials from the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Transport Salaried Staffs' Association and London Underground representatives, who met today at the conciliation service Acas. Read more: Here's when the [...]
Union reps and Tube bosses get talks underway to try and stop a repeat of last week’s Tube strike chaos January 16, 2017 Commuters, keep your fingers crossed for talks today aimed at avoiding the Tube chaos of last week, when a 24-hour walkout shut down numerous Zone 1 stations. The talks, at conciliation service Acas, are taking place to try and hash out a resolution to the dispute over staffing levels at stations. Officials from the Rail, [...]
Here are 29 reasons to be cheerful on Blue Monday January 16, 2017 It's Blue Monday, the day officially designated as the most miserable day of the year. Yes, it's raining and yes, you may well be off to see the divorce lawyers today – but that's no reason to be sad, daddy-o. Here are 50 reasons to turn that frown upside-down… 1. The FTSE 100 is on [...]
Employers must act early when strike action looms: Industrial action and what can be done January 13, 2017 Strike action is continuing to cause significant disruption for commuters, business travellers and holidaymakers in early 2017 – but could it have been prevented? Southern Rail has announced that it is going ahead with three-day stoppages of its train services this month – the first started this week – and British Airways’ cabin crew held a 48-hour strike [...]
British Airways cabin crew ramp up strike action with fresh 72-hour walkout set for 19 January January 12, 2017 British Airways cabin crew will stage a fresh 72-hour walkout from 19 January in an ongoing dispute over pay, Unite union has announced. Members of the so-called mixed fleet cabin crew (working long- and short-haul flights) at Heathrow will take part in a three-day strike next week. The union said it marked a stand against [...]
Southern rail guards to stage a fresh 24-hour walkout on 23 January January 12, 2017 Southern rail guards are staging a 24-hour walkout on 23 January, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced today. “[Southern boss] Charles Horton has repeatedly promised publicly to retain a second safety-critical member of staff on his trains but as soon as it comes to direct talks the pledge melts away," said RMT general [...]