Rail strike nears an end

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Rail strike nears an end

Union ready for talks, new train drivers hired

Published: 21/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The rail strike is expected to come to an end after substitute drivers have been hired to run idle trains and the labour union announced it was ready to negotiate with the government.

Kittikarn: Angered by lack of free trains

All long-haul trains from Bangkok to the South and local trains in southern provinces will resume services tomorrow as the new staff fill in for railway workers out on strike.

Permanent secretary for transport and State Railway of Thailand board member Supoj Saplom said all train services would be fully operational tomorrow.

The cabinet yesterday gave the SRT the green light to recruit mechanical graduates of the SRT technical school and retired train drivers to fill in for the workers who have walked off the job over the past few days.

The railway union has indicated it is prepared to make concessions and is ready to hold talks with railway management to end the strike.

Union leader Sawit Kaeowan said he was ready to negotiate with SRT management and Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum to break the deadlock.

However, Mr Sawit wanted Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart to mediate the talks.

See also: Bangkok bomb hoax adds to rail chaos

The transport minister and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva were taking a tough line with the union over the issue, Mr Sawit said.

The union leader said the talks should set the stage for the union and railway executives to sign a joint agreement that addressed the issues involving the repair and maintenance of locomotives.

He urged the government to spend about 100 million baht on the repair and maintenance of the old locomotives.

The transport minister said he would only negotiate with the union after the drivers returned to work.

Mr Sohpon said staff who stopped work without good reason would face disciplinary action.

He insisted staff who took leave and were absent from work for more than 15 days would be dismissed.

SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said the cabinet approval of substitute drivers and workers would pave the way for the recruitment of 171 new staff.

The new staff would start working as mechanics while mechanics with at least seven years of work experience would be promoted to train drivers.

Mr Yutthana said the SRT board on Monday approved a change to a regulation to allow 28 former rail staff to work temporarily.

He said he had assigned his deputy to head a team to negotiate with the union.

The SRT governor said it was pointless for the union to use the issue involving the safety of the locomotives as a lever in talks with SRT management and the Transport Ministry.

He said SRT management had stressed the need for all staff to ensure locomotives and tracks were always kept in good condition.

Pol Col Supisarn Phakdinaruenart, deputy chief of the Crime Suppression Division, said police were investigating complaints filed by Wirat Chantharat, chief of the SRT's legal investigation division, against railway staff whose work stoppage affected passengers.

Pol Col Supisarn said evidence including television footage showed two or three rail workers might have deliberately caused the disruption of the train services.

The officer expected the investigation to be finalised within a week.

If SRT staff, who are state employees, were found to be in the wrong, the case would be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Pol Col Supisarn said.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, Sathorn Sinpru, leader of the railway union's local branch, said about 10 train drivers and mechanics yesterday handed in leave letters, bringing the number of workers on leave to more than 30.

Mr Sathorn said the workers cited work-related stress and low morale as reasons for taking time off.

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Report objectionable comments click here. Include: discussion #, commenter name, comment date / time as it looks on the page. Example: discussion 15: 09/01/2009 at 10:00 AM.

Bubba

Discussion 12 : 22/10/2009 at 11:30 AM12
Pointman #2: Ok you are a pointman, but for whom?

Anyway no, I worked for GM in the SW of the US. I made good money, and yes GM was already then putting out cars to start have problems after 3 years, which was a strategy based on the statistics of people wanting to change cars every 3 years.

You start getting the 3 year car itch, and little things start falling apart, sometimes quickly thereafter big things and hey, people start thinking yeah let's trade that car in!

One "course" I attended was called "control" and of course, that about says it all.

I have since changed my ways and no longer believe my rent and other expenses are in someone else's wallet to be extracted for my benefit.

I worked in leasing, advertising and as an occasional closer...
Pointman # 2

Discussion 11 : 21/10/2009 at 05:36 PM11
Discussion 6: Bubba, You worked for GM!!!! then you should know a lot of Bubba's at GM, Correct? I mean, wasn't I right about the system of hiring and poor quality control? I hope you weren't one of the guys who was there at the GM plant in Detroit, the day I refused to pick up a GM car I had ordered. I found 2 screws missing from the glove box, one power window wouldn't go all the way up and the lenght of the car (wheelbase) was diffeerent on each side. Two of the glovebox screws were laying on the floor of the vehicle. Tne manager told me to take the car and he would assure me the car would be repaired by a dealer in my hometown. I flew home on Delta.
Pointman #2

Discussion 10 : 21/10/2009 at 04:47 PM10
Discussion 6: Bubba, you're right about Japan marketing quality vehicles. In Japan, it's all about work ethic between management and employee. Germany and Sweden, don't make the quality vehicle they once made. In fact, I just bought a new 2010, Tucson, made by Hyundai, of South korea. The Hyundai Tucson, is superb in engineering and design. South Korea, will most likely, out-sell the Japanese brands this coming year. When Unions took over in Detroit, quality control of their vehicles fell apart because John hired brother Bill and it goes on and on. Plus, John and Bill, wanted $75.00 an hour for their shabby work. Eventually, American cars became so poorly designed and engineered, that customers turned to japanese cars. You're right two times. normally I don't agree with complainers and with those who's main purpose is to belittle the subject, or belittle the government. I'm not a nitpicker/naysayer, I evaluate things based on good judgment, education and experience. I also, give credit where credit is due. Among other things, I'm a Mechanical Engineer Instructor. Oh, yes, I almost forgot, I'm also a POINTMAN!!!
Ozman_Bkk

Discussion 9 : 21/10/2009 at 03:59 PM9
Hey Bubba. What is a string union. It seems to be a constant thread. Is that one with binding rules you get roped into ? Perhaps you and unions are a case of never the twine shall meet.
livedutch@yahoo.com

Discussion 8 : 21/10/2009 at 03:58 PM8
In 33 years here I have been on Thai trains only 3 times and on 2 occasions they broke down with mechanical problems of one type or another. The Unions are absolutely correct because if you see the way they maintain the trains here (and I advise you not to look) you will not get on a plane again here. I work in the engineering field as well, I have met 2 perhaps 3 Thai engineers who I would say are worth their salt in other words they would reach foreign expatriate standards and you know that you can rely on them, the rest are just numbers nothing else, and don't get me started on electrical / electronic engineers.

Discussion 01 - absolutely spot on.
Paul 1

Discussion 7 : 21/10/2009 at 03:44 PM7
I'm quite sure Mr. Sawit is ready to negotiate! If he is a State Employee he should be fired for calling a strike in the middle of the night, stranding 4000 plus passengers, with no warning. A disgraceful display, to say the least.
Bubba

Discussion 6 : 21/10/2009 at 01:07 PM6
POINTMAN # 4: As a "PS"...

They main competitors which have better quality vehicles and much less problems today are undeniably:

Germany
Sweden
Japan

All three countries have very string auto-worjker unions and string unions in general.

In fact Europe and Japan all have string worker representation, especially compared to the USA. Workers are paid good wages, have medical insurance and unemployment benefits that would last years, possibly the rest of a life, as compared to the usual months in the USA.

So it stands to reason that those auto industries where workers have string unions are thriving. And you could even extend that to the economies in general, as the US is far worse off than Europe and Japan.

PS I used to work for GM as a rep.
Bubba

Discussion 5 : 21/10/2009 at 12:58 PM5
There is nothing as effective for breaking the back of the unions as government interference. Ronald reagan and Mrs. Thatcher are excellent examples of ruthlessness.

There how many accidents within a week or so? Three? And the only thing happened was the dismissal of a driver.

The strike is justified because they are saying wait a minute here, you have shoddy running stock and rails and when there is an accident we get fired?

POINTMAN #2: Of course you would side against the workers and less fortunate in general as you do in every issue.

Where does your idea come from the auto-industry was brought down by workers' unions?

Workers unions in the US are largely a farce because they were taken over by unscrupulous people that played ball with the industry owners.

Also yu assume quality control goes down because workers have string unions?

Look at Sweden where unions are very string. Have you ever heard of a car named VOLVO?

In Europe it has been understood a happy employee is a productive employee.

It is not by treating workers like modern day slaves that they will feel motivated to make sure quality remains high.

Try to find some economic analysis on the net regarding the car industry in general, and why it is in trouble, especially in the USA. There many factors such as competition, material used to save money (to make more more for the top dogs) the wrong models being placed on the market, greed...etceteras.

JOH HEATHER #1 is absolutely right. The problem is those breaking the strike are not going to be taking the trains themselves.
Pointman #2

Discussion 4 : 21/10/2009 at 10:19 AM4
I give the government high marks for facing up to the labour union. As you probably know, unions are what caused the collapse of the American auto industry. Unions normally, bring high wages and no quality control.
Swedenfarang

Discussion 3 : 21/10/2009 at 08:57 AM3
Normal rules of Train traffic in Europe. Have they a retired driver and want him back at work. He had to cope with railway rules again, both orally and in writing. Then he must learn the track again. This means that he must comply with an experienced driver. And to learn all train lines before he can run them himself. After a medical examination. It takes at least one month before he can start running trains again.

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Rail strike nears an end