Union to Strike for the Right for Drunks to Drive Trains

Generali

http://www.lbc.co.uk/tube-strike-announced-for-saturday-evening-105702

Perhaps if you drive a train with 800 (?) people on board you could at least turn up to work sober. Why on earth did this drunk get a second chance?

purch

the union has described its policy as "outdated and flawed."

Are they referring to the RMT policy, or the policy of TFL ?

In recent news, Scotland reduced their drink drive limit, and the Government has begun a much harsher regime me to stop people driving cars whilst using certain recreacational and prescription drugs................no doubt in the RMT's opinion both "outdated" policies too.

michaels

Don't worry, the BBC had a piece on how to renationalise the railways today so mahosive wages, strikes and drunk drivers will be available nationwide after the next election when Labour's union financial backers call in their markers.

wotsthat

If we're looking for an easy place for the Zombie Apocalypse to get started it seems as if the London Underground is absolutely made for driverless trains.

It's far more complicated to get driverless cars on the road than automate the underground and yet we'll probably see driverless cars on UK roads first.

Nonsense like this can only speed the process. It's not very reassuring to know a train driver failed a breath test and even less so to find out the union think he should remain in post.

Graham_Devon

What's the background to this? The article doesn't really give any indication, though they confirm their side to the argument when they describe the union representative "having a meltdown on air last time they spoke".

The article doesn't really give any detail, though their bias comes across strongly.

I can't honestly believe a strike would take place because someone who was drunk was sacked. That would be truly absurd.... ! Open to being astonished though!!!

michaels

Isn't the background that the driver is a union official and the union claim that he was only subjected to random breath tests for reasons of victimisation?

Interesting that it is kicking off with a short strike on a Saturday - could this be the union testing the water to see if their members will actually come with them on this one?

RichardD1970

Is this the same issue as discussed in this thread?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5173534

if so post #5 is relevant.

Marktheshark

Whats the worst that could happen ?
Only a couple of teeny weenly likke drinkypoo's

Graham_Devon

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Is this the same issue as discussed in this thread?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5173534

if so post #5 is relevant.

Thanks, so the driver actually has a medical condition (Hypoglycemia) which is proven to sway the results of these tests.

He therefore needs a blood test to determine alcohol levels, as a breath sample could give false readings. The Blood Test was refused.

Theres a need for action there. If it has to go as far as a strike I don't think that's a reflection on the workforce. More a reflection on the business for not sorting it.

timbo58

FWIW:

Random breath tests etc are a way of life for anyone working in a safety critical role on the railway and have been for years. (i.e. Drivers, Guards, signalmen etc).
They are both routine when ANY operating incident happens (whether this involved the member of staff directly or indirectly) and also randomised with no reason for doing them.

Breath and urine samples are taken so drink/drugs are all checked.

The Railways limit was around 1/2 of that of drink/driving IIRC when I was a railwayman (some years back now) and are very strictly adhered to.


I would like the know the background to this story before I make my own mind up frankly.

edit: thankyou to Graham_Devon s posting above we can see this is a case of not knowing the full story leading some to jump to incorrect conclusions.

antrobus

wotsthat wrote: »

If we're looking for an easy place for the Zombie Apocalypse to get started it seems as if the London Underground is absolutely made for driverless trains.....

Already done.

There are driverless trains on the Docklands Light Railway and on the Victoria, Central and Jubilee lines.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/davehillblog/2012/feb/29/boris-johnson-driverless-underground-trains