INCENTIVES MATTER. One of Britain's train operating companies, London Midland, does not require train crews to work Sundays, although volunteers receive additional pay. Almost all train crews marked off on September 4, to show their dissatisfaction with a reduction of the increment from double pay to one-and-two-thirds. Other operating companies also face possible strikes.

It's a bit much for me. Passenger train jobs are so predictable. Weekend turns as part of the job description allow crews the opportunity to plan at least some weekends (or trade weekends with colleagues when special events arise). A freight train crew is subject to call at any time, and when the harvest is coming, the power companies are building their winter reserves, and Christmas containers are arriving at the ports, any time is often on its rest.