Re: UK Train Crash Manslaughter Case fails

[notaparanoid@my-deja.com]

In article <377e9843.0@newshost.pcug.org.au>,
  "David Bennetts" <davibenn@pcug.org.au> wrote:
David Bennetts wrote in message <377e9843.0@newshost.pcug.org.au>...

>In September 1997 a high speed train operated by Great Western Trains
>crashed, killing 7 passengers and causing 10 million pounds damage.
>Interesting, I wonder if the situation in the law would protect our

BIG SNIP>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

>passengers against the negligence of a driver and/or operator
>if a similar scenario developed in Australia.  With our
>multiplicity of state laws and
>privatisation of our railways
>proceeding rapidly, have our pollies given the
>matter a second thought?
>

Funny thing about that,
David.

Recently running a train to ********* in mid-afternoon,
I looked into the mirror and saw an auto signal disappearing
into the distance, and did not remember its aspect. As I was
approaching *********through a blind cutting, I had no choice
but to apply the brake and approach the Home at such speed that
I would be able to obey the signal, even if it was at stop.
Nothing bad about that, except that I had been distracted at a
crucial moment, perhaps the rotten condition of the track had sent
my coffee mug off the dash and landed in my lap, or something just
as silly.  My safe approach to the loop avoided any danger to
the public.

I finished my shift at 1955 hours, waited for a car driver for
40 mins and arrived at the Motel at about 2110. Booked into
the room and at 2135 was out on the street looking for a meal.
Walked to the *****, as everything at the ***** was closed or not
serving meals anymore. Got back to the Motel at 2315 had a
shower and went to bed about 2350.

At 0110 I was still awake, because of slamming doors, loud
laughter and Traffic Noises. I turned the Air Conditioner
cooling only) on to fan and using the noise to drown out
the other fell into a restless (COLD) sleep. (management
have refused a change of motels because they have a
deal/contract with this one)

The phone rang at 0415, waking me and I was informed the
car was waiting to pick me up.  I departed *******at 0500
and arrived ******,****** at 1055. All this would have
been fine, except that the train was 'driver only', I
struggled to stay awake for the whole 5 hours, falling
asleep every time I was stopped to cross another train.

I crawled up to most Home Signals, with sun in eyes,
unable to tell what aspect they were, and relied on the
Train Controller to wake me if I had not heard the crossing
train go by.  At or near ******** I came to a stand exactly
opposite a gang servicing track machines due to failure to
press the VC. At ********* I exploded dets and THEN spotted
the Flag man standing meters in front of me.   I am positive
I did not shut my eyes, but I know that I am pushed beyond my
limits, and there is nothing I can do about it, except resign.
The union is doing nothing, and anyway you lot would bag them
for being trouble makers. The Management will do nothing about
it because they are in the business to make bucks for the share
holders!  You  would all agree that is what they manage for!

Management have got us in this position, and will continue to
push us as hard as they can. I am getting a little tired of
people poking down our gullet that privatisation of the
Peoples Assets is the only way of fixing the Country's Woes.
Perhaps fixing corruption at all levels would be the better
way to go. It's Private Corporations in  road transport and
Oil Industries who lobby corrupt Politicians so hard against
Rail, up until now.

Management can afford to lose one or two of us along the way.
Maybe after this post, I will be pushed aside, and you know
I think I would breath a sigh of relief. Financially I would be
buggered, and my wife and kids would be very badly off. (It
would be a relief... I just deleted my way out).

We work 61 hour cycles, and are asked to work extra shifts
which I refuse!

The Union says just do it, quit complaining!

The Management says nothing, but infer that I want
the job don't I.
I have been speaking to Dynon Crews recently, they are
getting it worse than me.

People that never take sickies, now are!  Now I worry about
myself, but also what condition the Guy is coming towards me!
When I drive my car, I stop at level crossings and look,
because I don't know the condition of the Person coming along
the track. I really am getting sick of it!

Now why do I write this? Easy answer is that I am tired of
the expert jurors out there who continually convict people
when they really have not got a clue as to what went on.
Management are not in business to take the blame! They even
allow for a fixed percentage of damage. They pencil in
accidents when they budget the business, just another bad
debt, placed with the insurance Premiums. Coroners have been
the only ones to produce safe guards to protect the Public
eg the drivers' VC.. It's about time that management are
accountable for pushing drivers beyond normal limits, possibly
with legislation similar to that which was passed to slow
Truckies down, by stopping Owners from making deadlines that
are impossible to meet.

The Pommie Railway [Great Western Trains] was recently
Privatised {?} had a big debt to pay back???

Imagine how much pressure our local management is under
to produce results for the Americans.

How do you grow business (75%) when you have no flexibility
with your staff? I can assure you all, we have very little
slack time anymore, just as we have no short [sic. 8 hrs]
shifts anymore. We can only work longer hours.......or
hire more staff! and that will affect the bottom line
and is not an option....till something happens! Then I
hope someone will post this open letter to the Coroner for me.

Very Sincerely.


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