Virgin staff see red over new blouses
Accusations and recriminations were flying between Virgin Trains and the TSSA over alleged poor quality corporate uniform at the
time Rail Professional went to press. The RMT had been preparing to ballot for industrial action on Virgin
Trains after receiving a ‘barrage of complaints’ from its stations and on- board grades over ‘skimpy and revealing’ blouses and ‘one length’ trousers, which can only be altered at specific shops. The TSSA claimed Virgin had agreed, at recent talks, to withdraw the
uniform until a final agreement was reached after further trials. Virgin quickly counter-claimed that no such agreement had
been reached and that the trails will continue. Arthur Leathley, communications director, said: ‘When we ordered the uniform we thought we had 23 months left to run the franchise; we wanted a new uniform however and decided to move quickly. We did conduct roadshows to consult with staff but the process was speeded up - six weeks as opposed to three months. After that we were told we have four more years to run the franchise, but they had been ordered. He continued: ‘We believe the blouses are not that bad. To put it in perspective they are the same quality as those worn by Eurostar and supermarket staff. The whole uniform is not cheap and we want our staff to look good - the idea that we would want to humiliate them is wrong.’Leathley said discussions with the unions were ‘good and not adversorial’, and that an agreement had been reached for further talks on the date of introduction of the new uniforms. ‘The unions wanted an assurance, and rightly so, that
if there are any issues we will give them a date of change. However it is not easy to get replacements through, and that was accepted. Now, we need to stop what is a barefaced lie that the blouses are being withdrawn.’ Staff anger was fuelled, said the RMT, by recent pictures of Branson
dressed up as a Virgin airlines hostess after losing a bet to Air Asia chief executive, Tony Fernandes, on whose teams would finish first in the 2010 Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. The TSSA’s Manuel Cortes, said: ‘He has asked Vivienne Westwood to design the new uniform for his air crews. Unfortunately, by contrast, it looks like he is getting the blouses for train crews from Del Boy at Trotters Independent Traders Ltd at Peckham Market.’
Best practice for HS2
HS2 Ltd is seeking to build on the best practice of constructing and running a high speed network, established both on HS1 and abroad. It is looking to use technology unique to Europe in helping to cut the noise of high speed trains, such as eliminating the gaps between train carriages to cut noise as they travel and boost their aerodynamic efficiency. Drawing on Japanese expertise, HS2 trains could also be fitted with wheel farings, like on a Citroen DS car, to cut the noise made by the wheels on rails – the biggest source of noise on any electrified railway. Around 70 per cent of the line’s surface sections between London and
the West Midlands will be insulated by cuttings, landscaping and fencing, helping it to harmonise with the landscape.
Earth removed for track laying could be used beside it as noise- absorbing bunds, cutting the amount of earth that has to be transported and therefore reducing the number of tipper truck journeys which create congestion, disruption and pollution. The most significant proposed design refinements being consulted
on for Phase One include tunnelling under Ealing and Northolt in north west London, and at Bromford in the West Midlands. Also published
Page 16 June 2013
Contact:- Michael Worby Mob :- +44(0)7767 456196 tel/fax:- +44(0)1707 333677 Email :-
survey@mw-sc.co.uk Website:-
www.mw-sc.co.uk
for consultation are revised proposals to redevelop and improve Euston Station to accommodate high speed trains for HS2 without having to knock down and rebuild the entire station.
First phase of HS2 moves forward
The first phase has moved a step closer to reality with the launch of consultations on the project’s draft Environmental Statement (ES) and proposed design refinements.
The draft ES sets out HS2 Ltd’s current thinking on plans to integrate the line into the landscape using the latest design and construction methods, both during building and operation. The design refinements consultation is an opportunity to comment on the most significant proposed changes to the design of Phase One between London and Birmingham. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: ‘We are confident that through continued hard work we can ensure that many of the feared effects of HS2 never materialise. We also know that the best design for the scheme can only be reached with the input of local communities, environmental groups and all levels of government. Publication of these plans is a crucial next step and will ensure that construction of the first phase can begin within the next four years.’
The draft ES and proposed design refinements are open to full public consultation with responses required by 11 July. Consultation on the draft ES is not a statutory requirement but the government says it recognises the importance of ensuring widespread engagement on the scheme. Its publication is an important stage in the project as it helps prepare the formal Environmental Statement that is essential for the Hybrid Bill – effectively the planning application for the project – due to be published later in 2013.
MIKE WORBY SURVEY CONSULTANCY
Chartered Land and Engineering Surveyors and Geospatial Consultants measuring , modelling and mapping the
Railway Environment Our Services include:-
Dual Frequency GPS Topographic Surveys
Engineering Surveys and Setting Out Track and Structural Monitoring 3d Modelling and Design
Measured Building Surveys
3d Laser Scanning Boundary Matters
Expert Witness Reports Geospatial Consultancy We are members of
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