Ankers - i have absolutely no vested interest. I generally trust reports by Regulators when they appear thorough. It's the Regulators job to look into safety and that's what they have done. Unlike the companies, the Govt. and the unions they don't have a vested interest, except in ensuring safe railways. All the others have clear conflicts.
What I want is for nobody to lose their job. And I do believe that it's possible to do a deal in which that happens. If the unions try, but don't get the guarantees they need, whether they be around proven safety issues (e.g. I think they have said that the company proposals don't include adequate training), then they can truly justify industrial action.
Blueskies - I agree. Sounds terrible. Exactly why we (including the rail companies and unions) need to properly think through and discuss how to avoid it. The answer certainly isn't the old style employment demarcation.