Some interesting things on the news tonight.

[jagger]

Watching the news re the railway strikes. Apparently the rail companies have given their “best and final offer”.
Where have we heard that before?
Secondly, they said that a small portion of the workforce, represented by UNITE, have accepted the deal.
What a surprise .
Kick them out of the TUC.

[richietns]

I dont think its like RM were we are all in the same boat more or less the train company's have different franchises on different lines a certain section of the country could of got a good deal.

[goneaway]

Watching the news re the railway strikes. Apparently the rail companies have given their “best and final offer”.
Where have we heard that before?

I think someone above the CEO Simon Thompson is pulling all the strings in both these disputes, as I commented on another thread. The same happened a few weeks ago, when, on the same afternoon, it was announced that both Royal Mail/CWU and the rail companies/RMT were both going into a period of "intensive" negotiations - the same wording was used in both the announcements. And bear in mind that Keith Williams is both the non_executive Chairman of Royal Mail and also lead the review of the rail industry working practices.

So, we are left with the distinct possibility that it's really either Keith Williams who is pulling all the strings, or ultimately the government is dictating to the rail industry and Royal Mail that under no circumstances should any further meaningful negotiations take place to resolve the two disputes. Perhaps Keith Williams CBE is in the running for a further honour in the New Years Honours List? Or a peerage?

[Binsey]

Watching the news re the railway strikes. Apparently the rail companies have given their “best and final offer”.
Where have we heard that before? :hmmmm

I think someone above the CEO Simon Thompson is pulling all the strings in both these disputes, as I commented on another thread. The same happened a few weeks ago, when, on the same afternoon, it was announced that both Royal Mail/CWU and the rail companies/RMT were both going into a period of "intensive" negotiations - the same wording was used in both the announcements. And bear in mind that Keith Williams is both the non_executive Chairman of Royal Mail and also lead the review of the rail industry working practices.

So, we are left with the distinct possibility that it's really either Keith Williams who is pulling all the strings, or ultimately the government is dictating to the rail industry and Royal Mail that under no circumstances should any further meaningful negotiations take place to resolve the two disputes. Perhaps Keith Williams CBE is in the running for a further honour in the New Years Honours List? Or a peerage?

Best post so far!

Now we are getting to the real Bread n Butter of the dispute,

[geromethegnome]

watching the the CE of Network Rail on Sky TV at the moment & I’m trying to convince myself it’s not that weasel Thompson talking

[FAB]

watching the the CE of Network Rail on Sky TV at the moment & I’m trying to convince myself it’s not that weasel Thompson talking

That’s why even getting Thompson out won’t make any difference! They are like Number 2 in The Prisoner. All there to achieve the same aims all be it with slightly different approaches! And all dispensable when they fail. Only to be replaced with another one.

[Halfhappy]

There has to be government intervention, of some sort, taking place, even if its just as simple as ST being told he has to continue this dispute. The reason I believe this, and have done from the start, is as soon as one union wins, everyone wins. The government simply cannot allow that. At present the top unions dominating this are the RMT and CWU, who both happen to be part of the 'Enough is Enough' movement. Don't get me wrong, the dispute in RM is over an attack to jobs and terms, that are simply unacceptable. The prolonging and lack of progress, I believe, is simply because there's a concerted effort being made, to ensure no union is seen as winning. This is the reason I don't see resolution to the dispute any time soon. Its going to be a prolonged. Its easy to get lost in a world of conspiracy, so I try to keep my feet on the ground, but it's hard not to see what effect one big union win would have. This is why the talking point opposing the unions has become, "its political" meaning they're attacking and trying to overthrow the government. If one union falls, they all do. If one union wins, we all win.

As for the removal of ST, the point is that if this was to happen, it would signify a change from the board. There's no point in removing him to replace him with the same, they aren't going to do that.

[walthmstowman]

With compromise on both sides I’d take a draw . Would a draw be seen as winning. I’m not sure.

[Halfhappy]

In the eyes of this government and its supporters, I think it would.

[centenaryman]

Watching the news re the railway strikes. Apparently the rail companies have given their “best and final offer”.
Where have we heard that before?

I think someone above the CEO Simon Thompson is pulling all the strings in both these disputes, as I commented on another thread. The same happened a few weeks ago, when, on the same afternoon, it was announced that both Royal Mail/CWU and the rail companies/RMT were both going into a period of "intensive" negotiations - the same wording was used in both the announcements. And bear in mind that Keith Williams is both the non_executive Chairman of Royal Mail and also lead the review of the rail industry working practices.

So, we are left with the distinct possibility that it's really either Keith Williams who is pulling all the strings, or ultimately the government is dictating to the rail industry and Royal Mail that under no circumstances should any further meaningful negotiations take place to resolve the two disputes. Perhaps Keith Williams CBE is in the running for a further honour in the New Years Honours List? Or a peerage?

i have a family member in the rmt and it becomes weird or surreal when he mentions the terms and conditions or there talks...............its a mirror image of ours
even down to no longer solely about pay but a big attack on there conditions and ours.
somebody is above pulling strings here whether its the government letting the big earners earn more while the workers have to suffer for the sake of inflation

[geromethegnome]

the thing is if weasel Thompson resigns, and I have a feeling he will.. eventually, then how does this impact things with regards the dispute?

[Halfhappy]

the thing is if weasel Thompson resigns, and I have a feeling he will.. eventually, then how does this impact things with regards the dispute?

I could well believe he's already walked into the board room to resign, and they've told him to turn around and get back to work.