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The human side of the 'Clockwork Orange' The human side of the 'Clockwork Orange'
(about 2 hours later)
By Clare Davidson Business reporter, BBC News, Glasgow How does it feel to be working while most people are sleeping? In the first of a series following those who drive Britain's 24-hour society through the small hours, we join night-shift workers on the Glasgow subway.By Clare Davidson Business reporter, BBC News, Glasgow How does it feel to be working while most people are sleeping? In the first of a series following those who drive Britain's 24-hour society through the small hours, we join night-shift workers on the Glasgow subway.
"It isn't dungeon dark," says Stephen Shannon, in a bid to reassure before we enter Glasgow's underground."It isn't dungeon dark," says Stephen Shannon, in a bid to reassure before we enter Glasgow's underground.
And Stephen, charged with coordinating the night team for Stathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), should know.And Stephen, charged with coordinating the night team for Stathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), should know.
But walking along the tunnel, leaving Govan station behind - where maintenance workers start their shift, the platform's light quickly fades. The flashlights maintenance workers Tam McNamee and James Jeffrey, have on their helmets are essential to guide them.But walking along the tunnel, leaving Govan station behind - where maintenance workers start their shift, the platform's light quickly fades. The flashlights maintenance workers Tam McNamee and James Jeffrey, have on their helmets are essential to guide them.
The air is neither dank, nor especially cool, but totally still.The air is neither dank, nor especially cool, but totally still.
The single sound is the rumble of falling rocks - until Stephen explains that it is in fact the echo of pulleys moving along the tracks.The single sound is the rumble of falling rocks - until Stephen explains that it is in fact the echo of pulleys moving along the tracks.
Meticulous workMeticulous work
What immediately transpires from watching Tam and James is the painstaking nature of the work.What immediately transpires from watching Tam and James is the painstaking nature of the work.
Going undergroundIn picturesGoing undergroundIn pictures
This is not the job of robots or flashy computers, but reliant instead on the watchful eye of these individuals. James sprays the points with disinfectant, Tam follows behind, pushing a pulley laden with tools.This is not the job of robots or flashy computers, but reliant instead on the watchful eye of these individuals. James sprays the points with disinfectant, Tam follows behind, pushing a pulley laden with tools.
Only once Tam, a softly spoken man from Rutherglen, wipes away the grime where James has sprayed, does a smooth white ceramic point appear.Only once Tam, a softly spoken man from Rutherglen, wipes away the grime where James has sprayed, does a smooth white ceramic point appear.
Knowing that it will get dirty again makes one wonder whether this job isn't futile.Knowing that it will get dirty again makes one wonder whether this job isn't futile.
But as Tam points out, it is only through systematic cleaning and inspection that means potential problems can be spotted. A drip or crack can destroy the track in a matter of weeks, says Stephen.But as Tam points out, it is only through systematic cleaning and inspection that means potential problems can be spotted. A drip or crack can destroy the track in a matter of weeks, says Stephen.
"The system is 100 years old - it needs constant attention.""The system is 100 years old - it needs constant attention."
Physical labourPhysical labour
Tam and James are just two of the mostly unseen faces that characterise Britain's growing 24-hour society. At the last count, in 2003, almost four million people do some sort of shift work most of the time, according to National Statistics.Tam and James are just two of the mostly unseen faces that characterise Britain's growing 24-hour society. At the last count, in 2003, almost four million people do some sort of shift work most of the time, according to National Statistics.
But the numbers are set to increase as Britons' taste for round-the-clock services grow. Some 13 million people will be "economically active" outside of the traditional 9-5, according to a report by the Future Foundation.But the numbers are set to increase as Britons' taste for round-the-clock services grow. Some 13 million people will be "economically active" outside of the traditional 9-5, according to a report by the Future Foundation.
On the Glasgow underground, while workers arrive around 2130, they do not enter the tunnel until after midnight.On the Glasgow underground, while workers arrive around 2130, they do not enter the tunnel until after midnight.
"You only do four or five hours maintenance work per shift but it is concentrated, physical labour" says Tam, while tucking a stray strand of hair under his helmet."You only do four or five hours maintenance work per shift but it is concentrated, physical labour" says Tam, while tucking a stray strand of hair under his helmet.
Perhaps this is why there are no women on the maintenance night team. Both he and James will work more or less continuously along the tunnel until around 0500, leaving before the mains are turned on again.Perhaps this is why there are no women on the maintenance night team. Both he and James will work more or less continuously along the tunnel until around 0500, leaving before the mains are turned on again.
BackgroundsBackgrounds
In James's case, who has been with the organisation for more than two decades, there is something of a railway tradition. "My granddad was a train driver for British Rail," he says.In James's case, who has been with the organisation for more than two decades, there is something of a railway tradition. "My granddad was a train driver for British Rail," he says.
GLASGOW SUBWAY Glasgow's subway opened in 1896Trains are timed to take 24 minutes to complete the circular journeyIt has been nicknamed the 'Clockwork Orange' - the same name of the 1962 novel by Anthony Burgess, later turned into a film A single adult ticket costs £1, a child single costs 50p Students make up nearly 25% of the 13m passengers annuallyGLASGOW SUBWAY Glasgow's subway opened in 1896Trains are timed to take 24 minutes to complete the circular journeyIt has been nicknamed the 'Clockwork Orange' - the same name of the 1962 novel by Anthony Burgess, later turned into a film A single adult ticket costs £1, a child single costs 50p Students make up nearly 25% of the 13m passengers annually
For many years, SPT recruits came largely from the railway sector. But there has been a shift in recent years and a wider pool of applicants are joining - including men with building and labouring experience.For many years, SPT recruits came largely from the railway sector. But there has been a shift in recent years and a wider pool of applicants are joining - including men with building and labouring experience.
Tam, 49, was unusual. He joined SPT after running his own business for 15 years.Tam, 49, was unusual. He joined SPT after running his own business for 15 years.
He is visibly upset as he recounts how the printing firm he founded went bankrupt. But he revives as he draws a parallel between the two professions.He is visibly upset as he recounts how the printing firm he founded went bankrupt. But he revives as he draws a parallel between the two professions.
Like printing, there is a set logic to maintenance work, he says. "You have to do be methodical," and it is this he enjoys.Like printing, there is a set logic to maintenance work, he says. "You have to do be methodical," and it is this he enjoys.
It took a few months to get used to night work says Tam. But nowadays, apart from short-lived difficulty at weekends when he switches back to what he calls "civilian hours," he seems unfazed.It took a few months to get used to night work says Tam. But nowadays, apart from short-lived difficulty at weekends when he switches back to what he calls "civilian hours," he seems unfazed.
Job securityJob security
If workers at SPT took their skills elsewhere, they could earn considerably more, they say. But they also repeatedly say what is lacking in pay is more than made up for by the benefits. "Especially the job security," says Stephen. "That's hard to find these days."If workers at SPT took their skills elsewhere, they could earn considerably more, they say. But they also repeatedly say what is lacking in pay is more than made up for by the benefits. "Especially the job security," says Stephen. "That's hard to find these days."
He joined nearly a decade ago after 15 years as a steel fabricator which entailed constructing steel structures. The work was well paid and it has taken nearly nine years to earn the same money - around £45,000 yearly.He joined nearly a decade ago after 15 years as a steel fabricator which entailed constructing steel structures. The work was well paid and it has taken nearly nine years to earn the same money - around £45,000 yearly.
The system is 100 years old - it needs constant attention Stephen Shannon, assistant team leader, SPTThe system is 100 years old - it needs constant attention Stephen Shannon, assistant team leader, SPT
"But you could be away from home for long periods," says Stephen, "in completely different parts of the country from one week to the next.""But you could be away from home for long periods," says Stephen, "in completely different parts of the country from one week to the next."
He smiles wryly to explain why he gave up the lucrative work. "I was working in Inverness, it was the day before my wee fella Declan's first birthday. My boss said I could leave when the work was done."He smiles wryly to explain why he gave up the lucrative work. "I was working in Inverness, it was the day before my wee fella Declan's first birthday. My boss said I could leave when the work was done."
He pauses: "My wife said if I didn't come home for my son's birthday that was that. She was right", he says firmly.He pauses: "My wife said if I didn't come home for my son's birthday that was that. She was right", he says firmly.
His job allows him to both drop off and collect his two children from school.His job allows him to both drop off and collect his two children from school.
Another perk of his work is that is out of the elements - "unlike many contract jobs".Another perk of his work is that is out of the elements - "unlike many contract jobs".
Such security breeds loyalty - the service of most SPT employees is 15 years or more - a sign of their loyalty. But competition is tough. For two recent recruits there were 200 applicants.Such security breeds loyalty - the service of most SPT employees is 15 years or more - a sign of their loyalty. But competition is tough. For two recent recruits there were 200 applicants.
UpgradeUpgrade
SPT - the public body charged with co-coordinating regional transport in western Scotland - wants a comprehensive modernisation scheme, costing £270m.SPT - the public body charged with co-coordinating regional transport in western Scotland - wants a comprehensive modernisation scheme, costing £270m.
Every inch of the track has to be checkedEvery inch of the track has to be checked
This would entail replacing rolling stock, new interchange facilities, new ticketing systems and improved maintenance and ultimately longer opening hours. But Stephen fears longer hours would make repairs harder.This would entail replacing rolling stock, new interchange facilities, new ticketing systems and improved maintenance and ultimately longer opening hours. But Stephen fears longer hours would make repairs harder.
"As it is we are hard-pressed," he says, side-stepping a wonky plank."As it is we are hard-pressed," he says, side-stepping a wonky plank.
Maintenance can only take place when the trains stop running at 2300. Less time for repairs could undermine safety, he fears.Maintenance can only take place when the trains stop running at 2300. Less time for repairs could undermine safety, he fears.
Early the next morning at Cowcaddens station, men and women spill out of the entrance. A gaggle of school girls pass through turnstiles, chattering.Early the next morning at Cowcaddens station, men and women spill out of the entrance. A gaggle of school girls pass through turnstiles, chattering.
For passengers the continual maintenance work is unlikely to cross their minds. But whatever projects SPT plans, as long as there are trains, there will be a night work to be done. For passengers the continual maintenance work is unlikely to cross their minds. But whatever projects SPT plans, as long as there are trains, there will be night work to be done.

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