On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 16:13:10 +0100, "Alan Ingham"
wrote:


I'm trying to find out which services (if any) will be running during the
strike.

Is this a blanket strike, covering every UK rail service in existence,
including London Underground, or are there some exceptions (like
Thameslink)? Have been trying to search for info, but I'm getting things
like "there was a high voter turnout". Who cares?? I just want to find out
what's running and what isn't. Can anyone help?

There is no detailed information yet. From the press reports it seems
there are three disputes in one.

Network rail - signallers and other staff who are in dispute over pay
and pensions. As the signallers cannot be replaced by stand in staff it
is very unlikely anything will run on the main line in the uk. Therefore
there will be huge problems for people travelling in from the
surrounding counties and obviously within London. Note also that if only
this action goes ahead then the Tube will still be affected - Wimbledon
branch, Richmond branch and Bakerloo line north of Queens Park where
most of the trains are maintained so services could be severely reduced.

LU - dispute over pay / working week. Previous RMT only strikes have
not closed the whole network but the service has been distinctly patchy.
One key element will be the extent to which stations are closed and also
if ASLEF drivers cross picket lines. The Circle, District, Met, H&C are
usually the worst lines with the Central, Bakerloo, Piccadilly and
Northern not far behind. The Vic and Jubilee have managed to squeeze
some sort of service out but it has been very, very limited.

Metronet companies - dispute over pay / working hours. When a strike has
previously been threatened on Metronet steps were taken to provide
alternative cover to allow trains to run. This is standard practice. I
would expect there to be further negotiations to try to get this action
called off.

My own view is that I doubt all 3 strikes will go ahead. The Infracos
are not keen on industrial action so I would expect to see progress on
the Metronet strike. I expect Ken will be having "meaningful"
discussions with the RMT over the LU dispute so I actually doubt that
will go ahead but we'll wait and see.

I expect the Network Rail strike will happen because the pension issue
is so fundamental to both sides. This will cause its own chaos and the
Tube system will not be immune from its effects.

Once the situation becomes clearer I would expect more sensible
information to be made available to people - but don't be surprised if
it is all very last minute given recent experience with threatened
strikes.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!