Borehamwood bears brunt of train driver dispute (From Borehamwood Times)

Borehamwood bears brunt of train driver dispute

10:15am Thursday 26th November 2009

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A SHORTAGE of train drivers is continuing to cause misery for hundreds of commuters from Borehamwood.

First Capital Connect (FCC) has cancelled around 35 per cent of its trains on the Thameslink route through Elstree & Borehamwood Station, leaving many passengers facing hefty delays.

The disruption has come about because drivers have refused to work overtime and rest days, and have decided to work to rule in a dispute over pay.

FCC spokesman Gareth Beazant told the Borehamwood Times: “We apologise to customers for the continued disruption, but would like to assure customers that talks are continuing. We have met the trade union four times already this week.

"We have made what we believe to be a fair offer given the current economic climate and unprecedented duration of the recession.

"We are working very hard to get to a resolution with the unions and get our services running normally again."

He added: "As pay talks have continued, we have been experiencing high levels of cancellations, particularly on the Thameslink route.

"We currently have about 65 per cent of trains running from Borehamwood, but we are trying to add extra trains where possible."

Aslef and RMT are balloting members for industrial action over a two-year pay offer that would see salaries frozen until April 2010 and a minimum increase of three per cent from April 2010 to 2011.

Mick Whelan, Aslef district organiser, said drivers were contracted to work four days a week and the company had been covering the other three days on a goodwill basis.

He discounted the original FCC offer as "derisory" and said the drivers wanted "better pay and better conditions".

He added: "These workers have been working seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, out of a sense of goodwill, so we don't think it's unreasonable to ask for more than what was offered.

"However, we received an improved offer yesterday and we will continue to sit around the table until this is resolved.

"A lot of people are doing a lot of work behind the scenes to reach a settlement."

While talks continue, commuters are bearing the brunt of the delays. Neil Applebee, 51, from The Campions, Borehamwood, said he was frequently taking alternative routes to get to work in Victoria, which added an hour to his travel time.

"It really makes me angry," he said. "If what I've read is true, and FCC have been running nearly half their trains on a volunteer basis, that is just ridiculous.

"I often either go to Stanmore to get the Tube to Victoria, or get a bus to Colindale and get on the Northern Line. It's very frustrating."

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