Re: Last night's bomb threat at Refern

david (dhorne@ozemail.com.au)
20 Oct 1997 08:40:44 GMT

Yes Michael generally there would be Guards available at Guards foreman at
Central station. It is my understanding that they have Guards on "Standby"
in order that they may be placed on Trains in emergency situations such as
staff shortages. Due to the extreme situation in this instance it may be
that they were really caught short on available Guards.

There would be appear to be some restrictions, mostly financial of having
Guards sitting around doing nothing and getting paid for it on the off
chance that such a situation may arise. certainly they are good conditions
that the Union movement have provided over the years.

Certainly there is room to move in ensuring that this sort of situation has
contingencies in place for the future.

Michael Edge <medge@sia.net.au> wrote in article
<3448AAF3.8F2176E@sia.net.au>...
> The situation appeared to be worsened by problems moving train crews
around.
> The 10:17 Wyong train didn't leave Central until 10:45 ish because the
guard
> was delayed on another train. The train was then delayed at strathfield
for
> another 25 minutes waiting for another guard (so the announcement said).
I
> saw the 10:02 Lithgow train leave central at 10:40, presumably because of
a
> similar crewing problem.
>
>
> Michael Edge
>
>