Seeing as we don't have a Network Rail thread...

RMT now have a mandate to take their members out on strike. 1/3 of which are signal workers. 

Ballot result - http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/network-rail-...tion12515/

Press release - http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/overwhelming-...-rail-pay/

Presume this will also affect metro between Pelaw and South Hylton, as the signals through there are network rail's, rather than South Gosforth?

(14 May 2015, 8:23 am)JakeSavage wrote Presume this will also affect metro between Pelaw and South Hylton, as the signals through there are network rail's, rather than South Gosforth?

Correct.

I'd say the probability is trains will run but at a heavily reduced service. Management could cover signallers on strike.

Bank Holiday Monday has been named as the day of the strike.

(15 May 2015, 6:31 am)Andreos1 wrote Bank Holiday Monday has been named as the day of the strike.

It's from 5pm on Monday to 5pm on Tuesday.

(15 May 2015, 6:48 am)danpick wrote It's from 5pm on Monday to 5pm on Tuesday.

Ah is it?
Cheers.
Only heard a small snippet on the news earlier and just thought it was for the 25th.

(15 May 2015, 7:22 am)Andreos1 wrote Ah is it?
Cheers.
Only heard a small snippet on the news earlier and just thought it was for the 25th.

Well that's what my dad said. It Also means I will struggle to get to my hospital appointment as I live at Brockley Whins.

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art/406...twork+Rail

Strike action back on?

(28 May 2015, 4:49 pm)Andreos1 wrote http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art/406...twork+Rail

Strike action back on?

It's certainly looking that way.

I'm not sure how the membership is split across the RMT and TSSA, but I'd question whether it's the best course of action, when the TSSA are balloting their members on the offer? That's happening over the next two weeks, so even if the TSSA members reject, they still don't have enough time to give notice for the same dates.

4th June 1700 for 24 hours and 9th June 1700 for 48 hours.

Strike action is the best course for this IMO; such a large company like Network Rail should be paying its frontline staff more.

(28 May 2015, 8:55 pm)northern156 wrote 4th June 1700 for 24 hours and 9th June 1700 for 48 hours.

Strike action is the best course for this IMO; such a large company like Network Rail should be paying its frontline staff more.

It's dragged on for far too long now imo. The offer is piss poor, and I can't see why for one minute that Network Rail bosses would have thought it would be acceptable to the workers? 1.0% for this year, around 1.4% for next year as part of a two year deal. Despite the profits the company is turning.

(28 May 2015, 9:21 pm)aureolin wrote It's dragged on for far too long now imo. The offer is piss poor, and I can't see why for one minute that Network Rail bosses would have thought it would be acceptable to the workers? 1.0% for this year, around 1.4% for next year as part of a two year deal. Despite the profits the company is turning.

Exactly which is why I feel a strike of 3 days in total (plus industrial action short of a strike [not working overtime or undertaking call-out duties for 1 week from 6th June]) to cause Network Rail the most hassle possible is the right way forward.

It can be argued they're in some pretty bad debt however the bonuses top management get paid is just stupid for it not to be shared out more evenly.

Again.

Strike action by RMT members working for Network Rail - latest information
Updated 1 June, 13.45

The RMT trade union has announced that industrial action and action short of a strike (overtime ban) which was planned between Thursday 4 June and Thursday 11 June has been suspended.

(01 Jun 2015, 3:18 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Again.

Strike action by RMT members working for Network Rail - latest information
Updated 1 June, 13.45

The RMT trade union has announced that industrial action and action short of a strike (overtime ban) which was planned between Thursday 4 June and Thursday 11 June has been suspended.

And for an extremely poor offer from the brief scan I've had of their press release.

Two year deal. 2% for 2015, and a match with RPI for 2016. If RPI drops to a negative figure, the pay 'award' will be 0% for the 2016 element.

I really can't make my mind up whether they'll want to vote for strike action again - especially for such a poor offer. Quite strange that if they've been getting their backs up about it previously...

(01 Jun 2015, 5:50 pm)northern156 wrote I really can't make my mind up whether they'll want to vote for strike action again - especially for such a poor offer. Quite strange that if they've been getting their backs up about it previously...

See I can completely understand the offer initially being rejected, as Network Rail tried to sell it to the unions as up to 2% for 2015 in exchange for terms and conditions. Unions like the RMT would always reject such proposals out of hand, and it's baffling as to why companies still try to hold members over a barrel, rather than negotiate any proposed terms changes separately. 

The next offer took the terms and conditions off the table, but they put down an offer of 0% for 2015 with a non-consolidated £500 payment instead, then RPI inflation for 2016, 2017 and 2018 as a four year deal. The offer did however add a no-compulsory redundancy agreement until Dec-2016, but as a whole, the offer was quite rightly rejected as a shocking 4 year package.

The new offer is:
- 1% consolidated for 2015 under pinned by £250, and backdated to 01/01/2015
- 1.4% consolidated for 2016 from 01/01/2016.
- Extension of no compulsory redundancy agreement across the bargaining units until 31/12/2016.
- Agreement to enter into discussions to agree a 'comprehensive job security package'.

I'm not sure whether they'll go for it myself. I'd be wanting Network Rail to increase those percentages slightly, and certainly have a better underpinning on both years. After all, 1% of sod all is still sod all. The last point has the potential to be beneficial, but it's never a given that the two parties will agree on something. 

So much for the Northern powerhouse...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33270586

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-gl...t-33751105

Collision in Scotland.

Loco in picture is 66428 first reports indicate that it is a write off due to damage at both ends plus the centre of the loco

(02 Aug 2015, 5:14 pm)Coppercap40 wrote Loco in picture is 66428 first reports indicate that it is a write off due to damage at both ends plus the centre of the loco

Don't be silly. There's been locos in the past with more damage than that which have been returned to service.

66428 66305. 6K06 and 6K07. While I can guess what the cause is, I won't speculate on an open forum.
No DRS drivers involved and no serious injuries.

Any idea what this is doing outside Gosforth Park?

(11 Sep 2015, 4:08 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Any idea what this is doing outside Gosforth Park?

Stobart Rail are contractors for Nexus Rail. That would be from the possession not so long ago.

(11 Sep 2015, 4:17 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Stobart Rail are contractors for Nexus Rail. That would be from the possession not so long ago.

It looks like the sign is pointing into the main entrance (from the photo).

Curiosity got the better of me and I found this -http://www.racingpost.com/horses/course_home.sd?crs_id=37&r_date=2015-06-12&topCrsTabs=course_stories#topCrsTabs=course_stories&bottomCrsTabs=statistics

(12 Sep 2015, 8:06 am)Andreos1 wrote It looks like the sign is pointing into the main entrance (from the photo).

Curiosity got the better of me and I found this -http://www.racingpost.com/horses/course_home.sd?crs_id=37&r_date=2015-06-12&topCrsTabs=course_stories#topCrsTabs=course_stories&bottomCrsTabs=statistics

Thanks, just I was very confused because there are no railways in the Racecourse the last time I looked 

TyneWearTravel


Disruption to trains going through Darlington, passengers advised to check their journeys.

Network Rail privatisation on the table - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34276868

Labour plan to re-nationalise, line by line - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34306333

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-34348563
Investigation following Heworth de-railment.

Two Direct Rail Services 37s are running 1Q17 Derby to Heaton T&R.S.M.D  today.

It left Derby 11L, however, passed Sheffield 2E

From Carlisle, 37603 TNT 37601. Should follow 2N10 1410 Carlisle - Newcastle however there's a LOT of slack built into the timetable so it could be at least 20 minutes earlier of its booked time. I'd say it'll be directly following 2N10.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-gl...t-35401921

RAIB investigation, in relation to train passing over bridge at high speed.