Bugger. There is a threatened rail strike this weekend; the weekend of [LUGRadio Live 2006](https://www.lugradio.org/live/2006/index.php/Main_Page). Firstly, here are some useful links if you are coming to LUGRadio Live 2006 and planned on getting the train:

* [More details on the strike](https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_bulletins/)
* [Updated travel details on the LUGRadio Live 2006 site](https://www.lugradio.org/live/2006/index.php/Travel_Information)
* [Car Pooling wiki](https://wiki.lugradio.org/wiki/LUGRadio_Live/2006/Travel_Sharing) – if you have spare places, update that page!!
* [National Express](https://www.nationalexpress.com/) – get a coach instead of a train with National Express
* [Alternative rail timetable if the strike goes ahead](https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_bulletins/additional_info/TOC_strike_one_arrangements.html)

In a nutshell, the strike is planned between 12pm on Friday 21st June and 12pm on Saturday 22nd June. It is important to remember that the strike is *not yet confirmed*. It may not go ahead. There are plenty of other transport options, so just plan your trip soon and you will be fine.

So, with a potential train strike, how do we react? Well, I first updated the [LUGRadio Live travel page](https://www.lugradio.org/live/2006/index.php/Travel_Information) and there has been discussion on the [forums](https://forums.lugradio.org/). In true, awesome, inspiring, community spirit, the LUGRadio community have collected together to offer car seat places. Head over to the [car pooling wiki page](https://wiki.lugradio.org/wiki/LUGRadio_Live/2006/Travel_Sharing) to offer any spaces in your car and to see which spaces are available. It is nice to see the page growing quickly. 🙂

This morning I wanted to get a handle on the situation, so I called the [RMT](https://www.rmt.org.uk/); the organisation behind the strike. I spoke to their communications officer who indicated their requirements behind the strike. If I understand correctly, they want a 3.2% wage increase in line with the rate of inflation over a 1 year period, and a 35 hour working week. I was informed that this is the standard package for [Network Rail](https://www.networkrail.co.uk/) employees, but RMT members seem to bet a bum deal. I asked a barrage of questions, one of which was how much negotiation is going on. I was informed that not much was happening at the moment and Network Rail were not particularly forthcoming in negotiations. I asked if RMT would call off the strike if Network Rail at least agreed to sit down and negotiate, and the representative said they would.

To get a balanced view I called Network Rail’s head office and initially spoke to their switchboard supervisor who said I could not speak to anyone there (you know, I thought calling a head office would get me some answers, funny that…). After iterating that I have a very real interest in this issue as I am one of the organisers behind a medium to large event in the UK, I was put through to the normal customer helpdesk, who could not help me. I called back, spoke to someone else, and despite saying the helpdesk could not assist me, got put through anyway. I rang back a third time and asked to speak to a manager and explained the situation, and finally got through to a communications officer. I was then told some rather different things about the situation. Apparently Network Rail are in active negotiations, and are trying to strike a balance with the RMT. Network Rail have been working to have a longer period for the deal which prevent further strikes – a 20 month period as opposed to a 12 month period. This is the core sticking point in striking a deal.

So, what is going on? Well, who knows. I was personally surprised at how much bickering is going on between the two organisations. This is a very emotive issue, and not the first conflict between the two organisations. The bickering surprises me – sure, there is a conflict here, but it all very reminiscent of the playground when I was at primary school. This is just my interpretation, but with an objective perspective on the issue, it struck me that the real issues were getting a little lost in the bickering. I just hope they resolve it soon. Striking is never an ideal course of action, and the RMT acknowledge that. There is a responsibility between these two organisations to sort this out, and sort it out fast.