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Post by snowman on Jul 21, 2022 17:54:27 GMT
I believe the closure has now since been cancelled and services will continue. This is what happens when you fail to replace staff who have left through retirement etc although it's now been cancelled this is the risk you run through cuts cuts cuts . This is my thought, the controllers are such a key part, that scrabbling around to cover should never occur. Any good management would have multiple backup (lots of spare people trained, even if not used regularly), yes it costs money to recruit and train, but it costs huge amounts and resources trying to cover outages.
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Post by VPL630 on Jul 21, 2022 18:16:52 GMT
Plans were being made before midday, staff already allocated shifts etc. And they can't be phoned to say the work has been cancelled? Sorry this is a utter waste of money and resources. In an other job things changed of the promise of extra work / overtime can be canceled why not on the buses?
Again I would totally understand if the buses had started running and then TfL had changed its mind.
If my workplace phoned me begging me to come in on my day off or change my job last min to allow someone else to do it, and then phoned back a few hours later to say don’t bother, they are either paying me for that job if I come in or not, or not seeing me for a few days, staff don’t like to be messed about, we have lives, commitments and very little time to ourselves to do what we want, so when we change around last min to accommodate the company, the least they can do is not mess us about and this is one of the main reasons drivers leave the industry. Do I think it’s pointless running buses as well as trains, yes, but there are controllers and I doubt you’ll see an every 5 mins service of fresh air, the amount of times I’ve done an ERail and they still want the buses to run, you also have passengers they won’t trust the trains even if they’ve been running, they have places to be and the bus will get them there. The work order would have already been billed as soon as TfL made the phone call wanting buses, that’s just how it works, if the buses run or not, the operator is getting paid
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Post by galwhv69 on Jul 21, 2022 20:32:45 GMT
Buses were put on standby shortly after arriving
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Post by galwhv69 on Jul 21, 2022 20:38:32 GMT
And they can't be phoned to say the work has been cancelled? Sorry this is a utter waste of money and resources. In an other job things changed of the promise of extra work / overtime can be canceled why not on the buses?
Again I would totally understand if the buses had started running and then TfL had changed its mind.
If my workplace phoned me begging me to come in on my day off or change my job last min to allow someone else to do it, and then phoned back a few hours later to say don’t bother, they are either paying me for that job if I come in or not, or not seeing me for a few days, staff don’t like to be messed about, we have lives, commitments and very little time to ourselves to do what we want, so when we change around last min to accommodate the company, the least they can do is not mess us about and this is one of the main reasons drivers leave the industry. Do I think it’s pointless running buses as well as trains, yes, but there are controllers and I doubt you’ll see an every 5 mins service of fresh air, the amount of times I’ve done an ERail and they still want the buses to run, you also have passengers they won’t trust the trains even if they’ve been running, they have places to be and the bus will get them there. The work order would have already been billed as soon as TfL made the phone call wanting buses, that’s just how it works, if the buses run or not, the operator is getting paid Great explanation mate. I was one of several awaiting for shifts to come through, weren't needed in the end but would not have been happy if I had started travelling there just to find out it was cancelled. It also needs to be noted that it isn't as simple as finding a few drivers, you need to find route-learnt drivers that are legally able to do work (not on a legal rest etc.) or try and find sufficient pilots, then there is finding servicable buses (not that easy on a weekday in the peak), as well as controllers and CIA's. All adds up so once TfL declare an e-rail operation, planning commences almost instantly
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Post by capitalomnibus on Jul 21, 2022 22:15:37 GMT
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Post by VPL630 on Jul 23, 2022 14:22:40 GMT
I’m still a bit shocked it even got this far, surely there must have been a manager somewhere that could cover the shift, I wonder who the person was that covered it in the end and the reason it took them so long to sort it
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Post by ThinLizzy on Jul 24, 2022 14:55:35 GMT
I’m still a bit shocked it even got this far, surely there must have been a manager somewhere that could cover the shift, I wonder who the person was that covered it in the end and the reason it took them so long to sort it might be the manager may not have the right competencies to carry out the role.
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 24, 2022 15:27:27 GMT
Has no-one noticed that Covid infections are rising again, and that anyone who tests positive is still required not to work even if they do not feel unwell or display symptoms?
There was a spate of this last year, lines closing due to controllers having to absent themselves.
Going forward TfL may well have to build more resilience into its line control management. But this is a recruitment and training issue that requires time and resources - and no doubt would be one of the items on hold pending a funding settlement.
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Post by greenboy on Jul 24, 2022 15:43:52 GMT
Has no-one noticed that Covid infections are rising again, and that anyone who tests positive is still required not to work even if they do not feel unwell or display symptoms? There was a spate of this last year, lines closing due to controllers having to absent themselves. Going forward TfL may well have to build more resilience into its line control management. But this is a recruitment and training issue that requires time and resources - and no doubt would be one of the items on hold pending a funding settlement. I don't know if it was covid related but the Medway Valley Line between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West had no service yesterday evening due to a signaller going sick and to compound matters Southeastern were unable to get any replacement buses probably for the same reason. As you say infections are on the increase again.
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Post by VPL630 on Jul 24, 2022 21:14:53 GMT
I’m still a bit shocked it even got this far, surely there must have been a manager somewhere that could cover the shift, I wonder who the person was that covered it in the end and the reason it took them so long to sort it might be the manager may not have the right competencies to carry out the role. Could be true, probably just my opinion but a manager should always be able to do each of the roles that falls under his/her management, I know it’s a smaller scale but our managers and directors still come out to drive every now and then at Ensignbus.
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Post by greenboy on Jul 24, 2022 21:47:04 GMT
might be the manager may not have the right competencies to carry out the role. Could be true, probably just my opinion but a manager should always be able to do each of the rolls the falls under his/her management, I know it’s a smaller scale but our managers and directors still come out to drive every now and then at Ensignbus. I agree completely, one of the golden rules of management is not to expect anyone to do something that you can't do yourself.
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Post by M1104 on Jul 25, 2022 9:07:54 GMT
Could be true, probably just my opinion but a manager should always be able to do each of the rolls the falls under his/her management, I know it’s a smaller scale but our managers and directors still come out to drive every now and then at Ensignbus. I agree completely, one of the golden rules of management is not to expect anyone to do something that you can't do yourself. At the various bus depots I've worked at some managers and controllers often drove buses whenever seriously short staffed.
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Post by capitalomnibus on Jul 25, 2022 21:50:50 GMT
Has no-one noticed that Covid infections are rising again, and that anyone who tests positive is still required not to work even if they do not feel unwell or display symptoms? There was a spate of this last year, lines closing due to controllers having to absent themselves. Going forward TfL may well have to build more resilience into its line control management. But this is a recruitment and training issue that requires time and resources - and no doubt would be one of the items on hold pending a funding settlement. Trouble is there are a few people who are now testing positive and still going to work etc. One of the reasons is that some would not get paid for it, if they are agency workers etc.
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Post by snowman on Jul 26, 2022 6:33:35 GMT
Has no-one noticed that Covid infections are rising again, and that anyone who tests positive is still required not to work even if they do not feel unwell or display symptoms? There was a spate of this last year, lines closing due to controllers having to absent themselves. Going forward TfL may well have to build more resilience into its line control management. But this is a recruitment and training issue that requires time and resources - and no doubt would be one of the items on hold pending a funding settlement. Trouble is there are a few people who are now testing positive and still going to work etc. One of the reasons is that some would not get paid for it, if they are agency workers etc. I don’t think very many workers outside health and care are tested these days. A few companies seem to do it once or twice a week, but it is unclear if that is of any use as it might have already spread by time it is detected. All it really seems to do is cause people with mild symptoms to miss work But if they are working alongside others who continue to work as not getting sick pay, policy is rather pointless. Especially now that virtually everyone has had at least 3 jabs, and vulnerable groups have had 4, or 5 jabs. The Autumn boosters will take everyone over 50 to at least 4 jabs, and for older and vulnerable will be sixth jab Everyone I know doesn’t bother with tests anymore unless feeling very unwell, especially as they are about £9 for 5 tests in my local Sainsburys
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