Train driver's union, ASLEF, is balloting its members at Avanti West Coast based at London Euston for industrial action in a dispute over new rosters.
ASLEF says that the new rosters have been imposed without agreement from the drivers.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “We're disappointed ASLEF are choosing to ballot their members at our Euston depot, as the new rosters are fully in line with our drivers' existing terms and conditions. We've followed all the procedures when consulting with our drivers at Euston and aren't asking them to do anything that hasn't been agreed by their colleagues at other depots. Over the last few months, we've worked extensively with our people and the unions, including ASLEF, to introduce our new timetable that is based on a robust and sustainable roster and gives our customers more trains and greater connectivity.”
Mick Whelan, ASLEF's general secretary, said: ‘I can hear the sound of chickens coming home to roost. Avanti West Coast has never employed enough drivers to deliver the services it has promised passengers, businesses, and the government it will run. Which is why, every day this year, the company has come up short.
‘Earlier this year, in the summer, Avanti tried to blame drivers for taking “unofficial industrial action” which it knew to be untrue. We called the CEO out as a liar and, three weeks later, he was sacked.
‘Now the company has been caught out again because it is trying to run its service on the West Coast main line on the cheap – cheating staff, passengers, and taxpayers – to line the pockets of its shareholders. That is a disgrace.
‘If it had done the right thing and employed, as we have consistently asked it to do, enough drivers it would not have had the problems that have persisted all through this year. Now the company, to try to cover its own inadequacies, is trying to impose rosters on drivers without going through the proper and agreed process.
‘Avanti West Coast is trying to bully us into submission. And we will not be bullied by rubbish managers at a rubbish company.'
On and it goes.Don’t these people want some normality in their lives at least.
We all want to tackle the problems of our railways ,for the future, but until these pernicious strikes are settled we have no chance.
Yes they do, the government with its “plan” for the railways is causing it to atrophy. There is no future at the moment. They don’t ever involve us in the consultations, so striking is all we have to have a say.
I use the west Coast line regularly, and this company is a complete joke. Whoever decided they were the best company to run this line, should hang there head in shame. Virgin Trains were by far the best (had issues don’t deny that) but made every effort to run on time. I may be effected by the strikes. But I totally agree with the strikes taking place. Someone has to stand up to these Bullies
Fully agree with driver’s action