SPADs

There were extraordinary goings-on on the Bakerloo last weekend, as management decided that they could dispense with the small matter of tripcock safety. Yes, our intrepid bosses decided that a train that failed its tripcock test could remain in service. In other words, a train could stay in service even if it might not get automatically stopped if it passed a signal at danger.

RMT is to ballot drivers on the Bakerloo line for both strikes and action short of strikes to demand the reinstatement of Kevin Dobinson, sacked for an aggravated SPAD.

London Underground is trying to establish a regime where they will routinely sack anyone for even the smallest mistakes. They want us to live in fear during every working day.

Unless we defend workmates like Kevin, the company will succeed in establishing this harsh disciplinarian regime. So by defending Kevin, you are defending yourself. Bote Yes and Yes.

Another driver has seen one mistake leave him out of work - this time, Bakerloo driver Kevin Dobinson.

You'd think management could accept that we all make mistakes occasionally, and that if someone puts their hands up to it and has mitigating circumstances, then a warning or re-training would be appropriate. But while the company certainly applies that approach to managers, it is an entirely different rule for the rest of us.

Piccadilly Line drivers are anxiously awaiting the judgment in Zak Khan's appeal against dismissal, and preparing for industrial action should LUL management reject the appeal.

Zak had a SPAD, over-running the first semi on the way out of Boston Manor eastbound. Management have had the cheek to designate this an 'aggravated SPAD', because despite Zak's best efforts, it was hard for him to get through to them on their less-than-impressive communications systems. (Full details here.)

You might have noticed that several stations now have moving-image adverts on a 10-foot-high screen on the platform wall. It's all thanks to cross-track projection (XTP).

You might also suspect that this could possibly distract the driver, or indeed the passengers, causing potential safety problems. But rest assured, LUL management have passed it as safe, so there's no need to worry.

Drivers at Bollo House (Acton Town) have had enough of the management regime in their depot and have asked RMT to ballot them for strike action.

The problems have been going on for some time now, and drivers' patience is exhausted. Management have clamped down on sickness and SPADs, and while disciplinaries used to be an annual event, they are now dished out like confetti.

The litany of bizarre 'SPAD reduction' gimmicks continues unabated, with the Northern Line now getting in on the act. Apparently, management seriously believe that painting the lower part of trainstops red will help prevent drivers starting up against red signals.

Management claim that the purpose is to provide 'peripheral information' to drivers. But don't peripheral objects painted in a bright, reflective colour distract your attention from the main thing you are supposed to be paying attention to?

Tubeworker has had cause to comment on many previous occasions about management's somewhat eccentric schemes for reducing SPADs. But this one really takes the biscuit ... or some form of confectionary anyway.

Bakerloo management had some sticks of rock produced, with 'Bakerloo' running through them, and a nice reminder message about SPADs on the wrapper. Yes, really.

We think management may be planning to install minibars in drivers' cabs. Stands to reason, since their 'top form' booklet recommends having the following with you in the cab - water, orange juice, coffee or tea, bananas, low-fat low-sugar cereal bars, cheese/tuna/turkey/salmon/peanut butter wholemeal bread sandwiches, nuts and raisins, and dried fruit. Blimey. Not that it specifies when you should eat these things - perhaps as you are motoring along? or grab a mouthful in between closing the doors and moving off?