First Manchester

[Brickmill]

RE: First Manchester

(14/02/2019 21:00)gilesbus1 Wrote:  You've actually not read the lower part of the message have you???? I to do think its drifting off topic so we will agree to differ at this point. The bodies you describe are just one carrying out the work of the other they aren't purely separate. I haven't said in any place how its going to to use powers i've suggested we can't go back to the 1970's. I would love to know were the PM went because i've not received it?

Yes, that was a waste of 90 minutes. I frankly haven't got time to try again privately, and it is largely irrelevant to the thread, but as you introduced it ON this thread, I will briefly refer to the two main points where our disagreement was starkest:
1. Having worked for GMT/GMB from 1980 & 1993, my memory of Strike action (as against Strike threats or localised disputes) was drastically different to yours. There was one company wide strike during my time with GMT. I can't remember when but it was definately in support of either Ambulance Workers, Nurses or Miners and NOT for GMT drivers own pay or conditions. I also seem to think it was short lived. The other one was in 1988 which was for Drivers pay or conditions (I suspect more likely the latter) as I recall sitting in a van with windows for an hour to make the five mile journey from home to work at Whitelands Road depot.
2. And this one is incredible; your claim that its TFGM (by which you mean GMCA/Andy Burnham, I assume) are stalling on a decision to commit to Franchising, thus blighting Operators investment plans. This is nonsense. it is Whitehall that is refusing to sign off the relevant paperwork. Its also been suggested that Legal Advice has to be sought to cover any and all legal action brought against GMCA for pursuing Franchising. I have absolutely no way of knowing if any of this has happened, but Stagecoach have openly said they will consider legal action to stop Franchising. The word filibuster springs to mind, because they know that for some bizarre reason, the Elected Mayor for GM only has a 3 year tenure where as most others have 4 years.