Article: QR wet shirt row

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

QR wet shirt row

QR wet shirt row
Marissa Calligeros
April 8, 2011 - 4:01PM

Queensland Rail staff fear new light-blue coloured uniforms to be introduced next week will become see-through in the rain.

Australian Services Union state branch secretary Kath Nelson said female members had come to her with concerns about the light-weight fabric of the new shirts.

''It's reported to me that the fabric if it became wet would be see-through and that is unacceptable,'' she said.

However a QR spokeswoman said staff were heavily involved in the decision-making process and were provided with fabric samples.

''We underwent extensive consultation with our people and union representatives before any decisions were made, including the type of garments and the fabric, with all staff given the opportunity to comment and provide feedback,'' the spokeswoman said.

''Following the consultation our staff overwhelmingly supported the use of light weight material for comfort in our warm climate.

''The key issue to come out of the consultation was the length of sleeves and we have addressed staff concerns and provided a short sleeve option as part of the uniform.''

However Ms Nelson has criticised the consultation process.

''I'm sure [staff] didn't say 'can we have it see-through when wet?','' she said.

"These staff are station staff and work on platforms where they may get wet. This cannot be categorised as an oversight in an organisation as big as QR.

''The consultation process failed to adequately address concerns raised by members about the light-weight material.''

QR's 1100 front line customer service staff will begin wearing the new uniform from next week.

''The new look uniform is professional and designed for optimum comfort and durability,'' the QR spokeswoman said.

[Stillwater]

Yes, we heard all that.... but does the fabric go 'see-though' when wet?  Yes.  No?

If no, not a problem.  (And, I assume that since the QR spokesperson did not use the 'no' word, the likely answer is 'yes'.)  If yes, there is a problem.

Or, just like the female cadet at the centre of sex act broadcast allegations at the ADF Academy, will QR female employees distressed by their new wet see-through uniforms be told to "suck it up"?

[Stillwater]

If QR is daunted by the possibility of recalling a whole lot of unused uniforms, maybe a bit of lateral thinking is required -- such as issuing female staff with a non-see-through scarf, in addition to their uniform.  In the unfortunate event that the women's uniform turns see through, a modest drape of the scarf could save the day.

[p858snake]

Changing their uniforms again? didn't they just go to a red polo shirt not long ago?

[Gazza]

Problem solved:

[#Metro]

Changing their uniforms again? didn't they just go to a red polo shirt not long ago?

Hate to be cynical again; Everything is changing--- that is everything BUT the frequency...

[Fares_Fair]

Hi Tramtrain,

I'm from the Sunshine Coast, what is frequency ?   

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[#Metro]

I almost thought you said you were from TransLink and did not know what frequency was...

[mufreight]

Well when it comes to frequency and Translink that is a pretty transparent discussion easily seen through without either foundation or substance.

[justanotheruser]

Changing their uniforms again? didn't they just go to a red polo shirt not long ago?

Hate to be cynical again; Everything is changing--- that is everything BUT the frequency...

really I could have sworn that on weekends there used to only be 2tph to darra and now there are 4tph. guess that ain't a change in frequency and neither is the increase in frequency in upcoming timetables. Yes some have a slight decrease and some have missed out but the best results come from using the sandwich method. That is two compliments with a complaint inbetween.

[somebody]

That doesn't count as it has been driven by the Richlands branch.  And still with the ridiculous Sun AM hourly frequency.

[justanotheruser]

That doesn't count as it has been driven by the Richlands branch.  And still with the ridiculous Sun AM hourly frequency.

well i think it is an improvement.  The alternative is that they didn't build the richlands line at all and it would be worse so I reckon that has to count for something.

[mufreight]

Madam Bligh and the then Transport Minister Nolan both promised a 15 minute frequency for Ipswich early to mid 2010, nothing said about a 15 minute frequency to Darra and Ipswich remaining with a 30 minute off peak frequency, improvement if you are on the Brisbane side of Darra but the Ipswich line runs a little further west than Darra and we vote too.

[Fares_Fair]

Well, guess what.

Darra Station is located right on the border of a certain Ministerial electorate boundary, located in the seat of Inala ...
Guess Who's ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Gazza]

Madam Bligh and the then Transport Minister Nolan both promised a 15 minute frequency for Ipswich early to mid 2010, nothing said about a 15 minute frequency to Darra and Ipswich remaining with a 30 minute off peak frequency, improvement if you are on the Brisbane side of Darra but the Ipswich line runs a little further west than Darra and we vote too.

Is there a link to a press release/article or similar about this promise? Would be good to use a reference in RBoTs media releases etc.

[Golliwog]

Well, guess what.

Darra Station is located right on the border of a certain Ministerial electorate boundary, located in the seat of Inala ...
Guess Who's ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

Excuse me, but come on. She was hardly Minister for long enough to have had very much effect at all on the new timetable. And as far as I'm aware, the final copy is very much the same as the draft they released when she wasn't the Minister yet.

[Fares_Fair]

I may partly agree Golliwog ... but it doesn't change the fact.

You don't think that the government has been thinking of changing portfolios for some time previous to the public announcements, come on. 

Regards,
Fares_Fair

[Golliwog]

Perhaps, but the Richlands line and associated infrastructure has been in planning for far longer than that.

[Gazza]

Agreed. Darra and co got 15 minute frequency by default because the Richlands line got built, it wasn't some special ministerial action that resulted in it.

[Fares_Fair]

Are you two related by chance ...  twins maybe ?   
It's late, time to go.

Kind regards,
Fares_Fair

[Golliwog]

Not as far as I'm aware.

[Arnz]

Agreed. Darra and co got 15 minute frequency by default because the Richlands line got built, it wasn't some special ministerial action that resulted in it.

Corinda and stations before them had 15 min weekday off-peak frequency for years now.  They only merely had their "trading hours - e.g Weekend trading" extended by default.

[ozbob]

Corinda and stations before them had 15 min weekday off-peak frequency for years now.  They only merely had their "trading hours - e.g Weekend trading" extended by default.

Only between 9am and 3pm Mon-Fri essentially.  Not around the clock and 7 days now as for post Richlands ...

[petey3801]

Well, guess what.

Darra Station is located right on the border of a certain Ministerial electorate boundary, located in the seat of Inala ...
Guess Who's ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

That is an extremely long bow to draw. Pretty stupid statement, in fact. The reason Darra recieved 15-min services is because the Richlands line was opened. Nothing at all to do with where the Minister for Transport lives. I'm sure, back in 200x(whatever year planning started), they didn't say "Hey, in x-years time, the minister for Inala might be Transport Minister, lets make sure Darra gets extra services by making the Richlands line come off at Darra!".

Stations up to Darra get a 15-min service purely due to coincidence, that's where it was easiest to start the spur line to Richlands.

[ozbob]

Yes,  the present Minister is the daughter of Henry Palaszczuk former Member for Inala and Minister.  I moved to Darra in 1992 principally because there was talk of a rail line to Springfield one day.  In fact the initial plan was for the line to take off between Oxley and Darra and go under the Ipswich Highway and a more direct route through Forest Lake. The 15 minute frequency is just a consequence of the line.