Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Xmas working update!

After some frantic last minute talks upon the subject of Xmas working with Amey management, it looks like there are no significant improvements forthcoming on the matter. Not a great surprise, but you'll never know until you have tried.

One concession, that I can't confirm yet because I have not seen it in black and white, is the apparent removal of the link between the payment of the £350 bonus and the eventual outcome of the job. It correct, it marks a small victory in a otherwise sorry state of affairs.

Amey were clearly unwilling to commit themselves to anything that didn't stand a chance of their being reimbursed by Network Rail for it. Network Rail are again the key factor in the equation, and Amey like all the other companies are not willing to rock the boat and incur their displeasure on the matter.

Network Rail seem clearly to be on a continuing path of getting things done on the cheap, continuing their philosophy of driving costs down at every opportunity. I dont think there is anyone in Network Rail senior management who would even get out of bed for what they are asking our blokes to get out of bed for on Christmas Day.

2 comments:

GRV said...

If I was still working in the railway industry, then I'd say no thank you. £350 was what they had offer for a few years before, if I remember correct. As it is, I ended up going to Jarvis and got laid off there. Eventually I got a job with the local council where I live, and I have not regreted it what so ever.

Mr Bunny said...

Nothing surprising whatsoever in the fact that the union hasn't been able to secure any movement in Amey's offer. Not enough to have a major set to over, which leaves it all down to a personal choice, does what is on offer tick your boxes? For some it wont, that's for sure. For others it's borderline. And some would work whatever they offered.

Everyone is affected by the scheming of Network Rail, and that's the problem. Amey can't say a great deal to them, because Network Rail call the tune and Amey have to dance to it or else.