The teachers have now downgraded their demands, calling for immediate implementation of the original pay structure pledged around 18 months ago, which accords pay to qualifications and positions held.
Now Mr Byers's immediate tasks are to devise a new railways structure that serves passengers better and to ensure that the railways can still raise the private finance that his plans envisaged.
This could leave the services vulnerable if one of the other major contingencies resolves itself before we have a transformation strategy in place, creating a strong demand for immediate, deep, and unwise cuts in force structure and personnel.