Brendan Ogle is at it again.

[sean]

This time in the ESB.

Nationwide Blackouts Loom as ESB Unions Revolt. (http://www.tribune.ie/article.tvt?_scope=Tribune/News/Home%20News&id=63639&SUBCAT=Tribune/News/Home%20News)

[Derek Wheeler]

According to Brendan ogle, its not Brendan Ogle, its the union members.

Read his book re the 2000 rail lock out. Im a big critic of unions, but Im learning fast that IE management are just as bad at acting in an inflammatory manner. Two wrongs never make a right and passengers suffer.

http://www.currach.ie/catalogue.php?&ISBN=1-85607-906-6

I enjoyed it. Its essential reading for any P11 member.:D

[packetswitch]

Great book, although at least twice as long as it needed to be! Could have done with some strict editing.

He gives some very good insight into the railway world, though. I disagree with his view on union bargaining (one of the fundamental issues in the ILDA dispute was the difference between unions solely organised within a grade and unions organised across a semi-state or company) and his negativity towards SIPTU (which I was a member of), but it's still worth reading.

[Derek Wheeler]

I won't get into the union debate Packetswitch, but you're right about the book. Glad you enjoyed it. Ive no problem putting the link up as I genuinely believe that those of us with a willingness to understand the background workings of our railway should read this book.

Wouldn't it be great if an ex IE manager could spill the beans on what goes on in the place at management level?

[packetswitch]

Indeed - no intention to start an interunion bunfight, just couldn't resist the pop ;)

I'd love an insider blog as well. I know there are a few employees from various parts of Irish public transport that post here, on Boards, on specific bus sites or on the IRN list. Would be great if we could get that sort of look inside.

[CSL]

I doubt it, the IE crew would very quickly see who it was and he would be quietly tied to a post at dawn one morning.


"We don't shoot the messenger " is not IE culture

[Thomas J Stamp]

Indeed - no intention to start an interunion bunfight, just couldn't resist the pop ;)

I'd love an insider blog as well. I know there are a few employees from various parts of Irish public transport that post here, on Boards, on specific bus sites or on the IRN list. Would be great if we could get that sort of look inside.

We know precisly who they are. Their line is very consisitant and it isnt about running railways for the benifit of the customers.

[Mark Gleeson]

One thing we have learned in recent times is that the real problem on the ground is unions failing to represent there staff. Unions are all up for something that will go public but something simple like a decent locker room they can't manage.

Last May was triggered by IE management, we know and they know what happened but the union leaders said nothing

I remember the chaos of the IDLA strike Ogle took it way too far and failed to articulate the actual reason for the strike, given the staff where to get a higher basic wage and reduced working hours it was somewhat contradictory to claim the new setup was unsafe when staff ended up with more rest days but more money