onclick="location.href='http://www.theticketcollector.co.uk/wordpress';"

The Ticket Collector

11 Comments

1. Firstly, As the owner and main contributor to the GNER Commuter Blog, I’d just like to clarify for anybody who might be thinking that I am also GNER Commuter, I’m not.

   Secondly, I also would like to welcome GNER Commuter to the growing number of commuters who blog their experiences. Incidents like your first entry are sadly all too common and naming and shaming those TOC employees with a Jobsworth tattoo on the backsides is one of the few oppotunities we have to change their behaviour.

   Keep up the good work mate and I look forward to reading future entries.

   Comment by Fentyke — January 26, 2007 #

2. It is not always obvious why a train is not ready for boarding, the general rule is that we like to board a train 15 minutes prior to departure, though this is not always possible. There may be a fault with the train which needs fixing which sometimes it is best to not board the train as it may be failed and they would need to swap trains or a loco chanbge will be needed which will need all doors locked and there is a loss of power. Besides are the train crew not allowed a break or something to eat? Some of them have 14 hour shifts and that is usually their only chance for a bit of quiet time.

   Comment by Electrics need juice — January 27, 2007 #

3. Hi Electrics Need Juice, If they are truely doing 14 hour shifts then they are breaking Hidden.
   Hidden being the new railway rules on length of shifts and breaks between them.
   I do agree with you on some parts of your comments, yes staff deserve to get breaks, but not in full public view.
   The public should not see staff smoking in full uniform in full view, the least they should do is cover the uniform up and go in a non public area.

   Oh well give it a month and there will be a total smoking ban on any First Group station, including staff areas.

   Comment by admin — January 27, 2007 #

4. The catering crew are not breaking hidden as these rules apply only to safety critical staff, catering crews are not safety critical and as such are subject to European working time directives. Staff should not be smoking in public view, this is against GNER policy and it looks unprofessional. In regards to not smoking in First stations the only stations that we use that are managed by first are Stevenage and Northallerton where staff will not normally have time for a smoke. The new moking laws that come into force in July will have an impact.

   Comment by Electrics need juice — January 29, 2007 #

5. I was told that hidden applies to all Railway Staff. Well thats what the Hidden poster information on display in ‘one’ Railway, First and South Eastern Stations states anyway.
   Ok if Hidden does not apply to non-safety critical staff GNER is breaking the Working Time Regulations.
   Section 12 (3)
   Subject to the provisions of any applicable collective agreement or workforce agreement, the rest break provided for in paragraph (1) is an uninterrupted period of not less than 20 minutes, and the worker is entitled to spend it away from his workstation if he has one.

   So in effect staff should not be taking breaks on the train (their workstation in effect) and are legally entitled to spend it away from the train.

   But hey at the end of the day im staff so I know what the rules are and what really happens!!

   Comment by admin — January 30, 2007 #

6. in regards to the above comments yes the staff can be rostered for up to 14 hours per day anything over this has to be given a guaranteed rest day, also safety critical staff must have a minimum of 12 hours between shifts this also applies to other satff all though this can be reduced to 9 in times of disruption.

   Yes workers are entitled to spend 20 minutes away from their workstation but ask any member of staff who only has a 20 minute turn around whether they would like to spend that time sat on a train, because getting to rest facilities off board would take a good chunk out of their rest period. As it rightly says they are entitled but they are also entitled to waive that agreement if they see fit.

   as for the comment regards [The Guard] it is one thing to disagree with a persons actions and freedom of speech has not been abolished but to refer to someone as an “Asshole” is probably not a good idea and lets hope this is not brought to [the guards] attention cause i dont think a libel suit for defamation of character would be worth it just for a rant in a blog

   Comment by badwolf — January 31, 2007 #

7. badwolf, I (admin) would like to thank you for correcting me regarding hidden. I never really understood the 15min rushed session when it came into effect.

   This blog entry was made by GNER Commuter (and not the GNER Commuter called Fentyke), TheTicketCollector.co.uk cannot be held responsible for entries/comments made by other users. Without getting on the Legal Hi-Ho I belive that Article 10 guarantees the right to freedom of expression.

   UK laws on defamation are also considered among the strictest in the Western world, imposing a high burden of proof on the defendant.

   Comment by admin — January 31, 2007 #

8. I don’t know what job you do but perhaps you too should be fired for no reason. Leave them to their job! People used to put their stuff on the trains at Kings X and **** **** to WH Smiths causing full on security alerts. I’m sure if the guard knew the call was just about to come out for your train he probably wouldn’t have asked you to leave. Get a ******* grip you ***** ** ******* ****

   This comment has been edited by Admin in accordance with our comments policy due to its content and abuse.

   Comment by dick_whittington — February 2, 2007 #

9. Well actually im a Union Rep for one of the big Unions. Prehaps Dick_Whittington your the type of manager that would rather see no worker have any rights, let them slave away for 12 hours a day and then come in the next day with only 6 hours sleep and then make them slave away some more?
   Oh and I forgot to say, youd let your staff slave away while you as a Manager would sit up stairs on your fat backside doing sweet FA and give yourself huge payrises.

   This comment has been edited by Admin in accordance with our comments policy due to it originally identifying people.

   Comment by GNER commuter — February 3, 2007 #

10. Manager? Moi? You really do have an obsession with posting people’s names don’t you Anon GNER Commuter… I’m not entirely sure where you’ve derived that slander about 12 hour days and 6 hours sleep along with staff as slaves, I would not be for that if I was manager, god forbid that should happen! Verging on the side of silly here…

    In a more level headed approach I still disagree with you naming and “shaming” this guard publically. If you have a problem with him complain to GNER themselves. I don’t think it was fair to say he should loose his job however. I don’t care what you have to say to my first paragraph here just think about what I’ve said in this para?

    Comment by dick_whittington — February 4, 2007 #

11. Right this is indeed verging into slander and is going to be stopped as of now.
    The Guard’s name will be removed from the original post.

    Comment by admin — February 4, 2007 #

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.