Train strikes: What’s the big deal?
by Lucas
Another deal aimed at ending the dispute between Southern Railway and the Aslef union has finally arrived at the station.
Since strikes began in April 2016, hundreds of drivers have been striking, thousands of trains have been cancelled, and hundreds of thousands of people have been directly affected.
This is the worst disruption on the railway in thirty years, and comes on top of a service already damaged by engineering works. The bottom line is, many feel like our train services have reached their lowest point.
Since strikes began in April 2016, hundreds of drivers have been striking, thousands of trains have been cancelled, and hundreds of thousands of people have been directly affected.
This is the worst disruption on the railway in thirty years, and comes on top of a service already damaged by engineering works. The bottom line is, many feel like our train services have reached their lowest point.
With pupils and staff using Southern trains to get to school, the Trinity community has also been badly affected. “I often miss assembly, I often miss homework deadlines, and I miss the times when I could rely on Southern,” said one student.
However, it appears that there is light at the end of the train tunnel. Mr Whelan, General Secretary of Aslef, said yesterday that the new terms "offer solutions to our concerns, as well as restoring the confidence of all parties, and the travelling public".
However, it appears that there is light at the end of the train tunnel. Mr Whelan, General Secretary of Aslef, said yesterday that the new terms "offer solutions to our concerns, as well as restoring the confidence of all parties, and the travelling public".
Despite this new-found optimism, the deal is not done yet. In February, a similar deal was unexpectedly rejected by the train drivers. But only 55 percent were against acceptance, and the subtle differences in this agreement could be enough to persuade the drivers.
The changes on offer would include fewer circumstances when a train could leave without supervisors, CCTV cameras to be upgraded a year earlier than previously planned, and new train supervisors to receive extra safety training, enabling them to walk on the tracks if necessary.
The changes on offer would include fewer circumstances when a train could leave without supervisors, CCTV cameras to be upgraded a year earlier than previously planned, and new train supervisors to receive extra safety training, enabling them to walk on the tracks if necessary.
I often miss assembly, I often miss homework deadlines, and I miss the times when I could rely on Southern
Roughly one year after the strikes began, they could finally come to an end. Will the drivers agree? On the 3rd of April, we’ll see. Although the separate dispute with involving train guards is not part of the deal, this would still be a leap along the long line to normal services.