138 replies to this topic

[Killicksparker]

Tube drivers will get a cash bonus of up to £1,200 for working during the Olympic Games, it was revealed today. The ground-breaking deal means unions will not disrupt the three-week Games by staging any walk-outs - but the move sparked outrage as transport chiefs were accused of offering a "bribe" simply for drivers to do their job. The deal eclipses the £500 bonus being paid to Network Rail main line staff during the Games.

Conservative MP Matthew Hancock said: "It's outrageous, holding people to ransom. People should not have to be bribed just to do their job. "The Olympics should be a celebration for London - not a chance for the travelling public to be ripped off." Tory MP Richard Bacon, who sits on the Commons public accounts committee, said: "Tube drivers are not badly paid and they should not need extra money just to do their job."

All 2,300 drivers on the Tube, who earn a basic salary of £42,750, will receive a flat-rate £500 bonus. But complex confidential agreements seen by the Evening Standard - including special rates for the Olympics opening ceremony and overtime paid at £32 an hour - mean drivers will receive more than double that. The deal also covers the Paralympics. Negotiators knew they had to agree a good bonus deal to ensure the success of the Games.

A senior source connected with the negotiations said: "The drivers could have demanded fur coats for the wives or football season tickets for the men if they wanted. It's an amazing deal - but one which the Tube had to do. There was no alternative."A spokesman for the negotiating team at Aslef, the train drivers' union, said: "This is a great settlement and will ensure the successful deliverance of train services during the Olympics."

Tube managing director Mike Brown said: "London Underground is committed to ensuring that the train service we provide contributes to the successful operation of the Games and I am pleased that we and the unions have been able to engage in constructive dialogue to reach this agreement."

Sources told the Standard that every driver will get a minimum of £800 because of the way overtime and shift changes are calculated.

http://www.thisislon...tube-drivers.do

Who else will jump on this runaway Olympic bandwaggon??

[Giraffe]

You see what should happen (in an ideal world) is if they take unauthorised time off during the games they should be sacked. If it's made crystal clear to them that that's what will happen if they walk out - that their lively hoods will be taken away from them - then they wouldn't risk it.

I don't think it's right that they get paid a bribe just to do their job.

[Fry]

"Sources told the Standard that every driver will get a minimum of £800 because of the way overtime and shift changes are calculated."

It seems that only part of this alleged £1200 "bribe" will be a special bonus, the rest seems to be down to overtime/shift changes. Breaking news, staff are compensated for working longer hours and having their working hours changed!

Not everyone is going to get a "Olympic Bonus" in their job, and I unfortunately as I work as civilian staff for the police and so I'm almost certainly not. As staff have little or no rights, I'm looking forward to longer hours (more breaking news, police staff to receive 'bribe' believed to be up to 1.5x their usual rate to work more than their contracted hours), relatively short notice shift changes, fighting my way into work and home again through hordes of spectators and tourists on a transport system that is already creaking under the weight of commuters. On the off chance we'll be allowed a rest day, I can look forward similar travelling nightmare, shops and services mercenary price rises, and nothing on the television but the bloody Olympics. I can hardly wait.

Without sounding too lefty with this, it's not fair that large companies make money out of the games while the minions are expected to make a contribution for no reward. I have no doubt LUL will make money out of the huge number of people travelling through London during the games. As a public sector worker I neither expect nor demand a bonus, but I'm not going to begrudge those who have managed to negotiate a bonus, least of all those working for a company that will almost definitely profit from the games. The interesting bit would be if the Unions managed to negotiate a similar bonus for station staff. I appreciate TFL is government level, and London Underground isn't exactly a private company despite being London Underground Limited it is essentially run by TFL and essentially publicly owned, but I'm fairly sure the smooth running of the games will result in bonuses at management level, why not at the bottom also?

Edited by Fry, 13 September 2011 - 04:33 PM.

[kester]

What you need to understand is that effectively LU are buying people out of their contracts. My employer will be requiring me to work a 48 hour week for 10 weeks. My contract says that my working hours are 35 per week average. Compulsory overtime breaches employment law.

Therefore, my employer will need to offer me an incentive to agree to breach my contract. Why do people think this is unfair?

[Scrubby]

You see what should happen (in an ideal world) is if they take unauthorised time off during the games they should be sacked. If it's made crystal clear to them that that's what will happen if they walk out - that their lively hoods will be taken away from them - then they wouldn't risk it.

I don't think it's right that they get paid a bribe just to do their job.

[Sailor]

What you need to understand is that effectively LU are buying people out of their contracts. My employer will be requiring me to work a 48 hour week for 10 weeks. My contract says that my working hours are 35 per week average. Compulsory overtime breaches employment law.

Therefore, my employer will need to offer me an incentive to agree to breach my contract. Why do people think this is unfair?

Because LU goes on strike every two seconds at times to cause most amount of disruption, so you shouldn't seek, nor should you get any sympathy from the public even if your cause is just.

[Doghandler2009]

What you need to understand is that effectively LU are buying people out of their contracts. My employer will be requiring me to work a 48 hour week for 10 weeks. My contract says that my working hours are 35 per week average. Compulsory overtime breaches employment law.

Therefore, my employer will need to offer me an incentive to agree to breach my contract. Why do people think this is unfair?

And for the extra 13 hours you would get paid. but a bonus just for turning up to work is wrong.

I will be at work during the weeks of the games can i claim a bonus to ?

[bensonby]

If I work lots of extra hours and have days off cancelled and get paid the agreed overtime rate and end up a thousand pounds or more better off will I have been given a "bribe"?


Was the couple of thousand pounds in overtime that I earnt during the riots and in working an 85 hours week for the following three weeks - having no choice but to do it (making me ill and ruining any semblence of home life during that time) a "bribe"? Was it underserved?

[Giraffe]

The difference is Bensonby you were working actual overtime, and receiving payment as stipulated in your contract. This is an additional payment (the £500) just for turning up to work.

[Doghandler2009]

All 2,300 drivers on the Tube, who earn a basic salary of £42,750, will receive a flat-rate £500 bonus. But complex confidential agreements seen by the Evening Standard - including special rates for the Olympics opening ceremony and overtime paid at £32 an hour - mean drivers will receive more than double that. The deal also covers the Paralympics. Negotiators knew they had to agree a good bonus deal to ensure the success of the Games.

And you tell me where else you can get that sort of wage for a driving job?

No wonder the tax payer have to subsidize the railways

Edited by doghandler2009, 15 September 2011 - 04:11 PM.

[bensonby]

The overtime rate for a PC on a less than five is near enough to that...

[Giraffe]

And you tell me where else you can get that sort of wage for a driving job?

No wonder the tax payer have to subsidize the railways

I agree. I don't begrudge them the salary they have - they earn a nice salary fair play to them. I think they don't deserve it though when they go on strike and cause misery to commuters though. they have a good thing going and I'm sure there are plenty of people who would be happy to do their job for half the money. Quite simply they don't deserve this £500, and they should be told in no uncertain terms that if they strike during the Olympics then they will lose their jobs.

[Sailor]

Tube drivers' salaries to rise to more than £50,000
New deal negotiated by unions will mean some staff will end up with a 20% pay hike over four years

Tube drivers in the capital will see their pay go over the £50,000-a-year mark under a four-year wage deal negotiated between London Underground and union leaders.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union began consulting on a four-year pay deal, which LU said offered the prospect of no industrial action over wages until at least 2015.

Under the deal, staff will get a 5% pay increase this year followed by RPI inflation plus 0.5% in the subsequent three years.

Industry sources said that if RPI inflation stays reasonably high, some tube staff will receive a pay rise approaching 20% by the end of the settlement period.

The pay of tube drivers, currently about £46,000, will go over £50,000, while some staff could receive a £10,000 pay rise over the four years, it was estimated.

The RMT said the issue of a payment for working during next year's Olympic Games in London was separate to the four-year wage deal.

General secretary Bob Crow said: "We saw major movement from LU and we now take this improved offer back to our local reps.

"In these days of austerity we have shown … trade unionism is the best defence from attacks on jobs and living standards. I doubt you will find a better offer than this anywhere else in the public sector."

Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground, said: "This fair and affordable multi-year pay deal is a good deal for London – providing a platform for stability over a crucial time for the tube network.

"This deal enables our employees' salaries to keep pace with the cost of living whilst being realistic given the current economic situation and the pressure on Transport for London's finances.

"We can now get on with the vital task of delivering the huge improvements to the network that Londoners need and deserve while we continue to develop our detailed plans to keep London moving during next summer's Games."

Source: The Guardian

I love the comment from Bob Crow: "In these days of austerity we have shown … trade unionism is the best defence from attacks on jobs and living standards. I doubt you will find a better offer than this anywhere else in the public sector."

What he really means is: "My job is easy because we are one of the few unions where if our members strike, it severely effects hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens, so we can hold a gun to the head of LU."

Edited by Sailor, 03 October 2011 - 07:13 PM.

[Stratos]

THIRTY-TWO POUNDS AN HOUR?!

[Londonbased]

This story has been twisted by the media.
Firstly, the unions have NOT agreed to any deal.
The RMT representatives are having a meeting on Tuesday 4th October to discuss the outcome of ACAS talks that took place on Friday.
London Underground is asking its tube drivers change their contracts to drive trains for 9 and a half hour shifts during the Olympics. If you drive a car for that long (with a 30 minute break) you would get very fatigued.This "bribe" that they are offering is putting the public at risk.
London Underground do not go on strike every 2 seconds and only strike as a last resort.
(Believe you me, London Underground management make senior police management appear reasonable and compromising!!)

[Bas]

This story has been twisted by the media.
Firstly, the unions have NOT agreed to any deal.
The RMT representatives are having a meeting on Tuesday 4th October to discuss the outcome of ACAS talks that took place on Friday.
London Underground is asking its tube drivers change their contracts to drive trains for 9 and a half hour shifts during the Olympics. If you drive a car for that long (with a 30 minute break) you would get very fatigued.This "bribe" that they are offering is putting the public at risk.
London Underground do not go on strike every 2 seconds and only strike as a last resort.
(Believe you me, London Underground management make senior police management appear reasonable and compromising!!)

I drive a truck for 10, 11 sometimes 12 hours a day. 50-60 hour week.

I'd argue that's more tiring than a tube train, which is far easier.

[Sailor]

I drive a truck for 10, 11 sometimes 12 hours a day. 50-60 hour week.

I'd argue that's more tiring than a tube train, which is far easier.

Aren't there some sort of rules about the amount of hours you can drive in a day?

This story has been twisted by the media.
Firstly, the unions have NOT agreed to any deal.
The RMT representatives are having a meeting on Tuesday 4th October to discuss the outcome of ACAS talks that took place on Friday.
London Underground is asking its tube drivers change their contracts to drive trains for 9 and a half hour shifts during the Olympics. If you drive a car for that long (with a 30 minute break) you would get very fatigued.This "bribe" that they are offering is putting the public at risk.
London Underground do not go on strike every 2 seconds and only strike as a last resort.
(Believe you me, London Underground management make senior police management appear reasonable and compromising!!)

Let me guess who has been "-1" my posts

[Bas]

Yes - 9 hours solid driving (my 10, 11, 12 includes unloading etc.) Or 15 hours a day (total duty time).

Maximum 60 hour week.

Lots morebut it gets boring and very complicated!

[Giraffe]

They are so hard done by. And really we should be grateful to them that they have us at heart when they take their additional days off - I get a warm fuzzy feeling just knowing they have my interests at heart whilst traipsing through London on foot whilst they sip tea outside the Tube.

[Radman]

They are so hard done by. And really we should be grateful to them that they have us at heart when they take their additional days off - I get a warm fuzzy feeling just knowing they have my interests at heart whilst traipsing through London on foot whilst they sip tea outside the Tube.

Can't blame them for looking out for themselves can you? You better believe that if we had the power to walk out and strike alot of bobbies would but instead we get taken for a ride by the government. The biggest cuts to hit policing in decades, mass disorder breaks out and we pulled the government out of the fire only for them to lie to the public and state that the cuts wont effect the frontline...

The tube drivers are in a position where they can look after themselves and their families so be it... I'd use the same argument over a few things, such as joining a role to "get a foot in the door."

Many people on this forum have whined and cried at other users for joining say the PCSO and then leaving to become a bobby 18months later;

"what about the people who want to make a career of it?!"

So what? In this world you HAVE to ensure you provide and look after yourself, no-one else will. The government would if they could take a number of payments and rights off of us, the argument of duty comes up alot.

I have a duty to look after the public, yes of course but I expect fair treatment and to be paid the contract I signed up to.

This is why I'd never be a special, you give and give but in all honesty what does the service give you in return? People on here are repeatedly knocked back from regular recruitment with the words "sorry you aren't good enough... Oh by the way can you come in and work this saturday night?"

But people on here are all too willing to take it, in the long run you're good enough to do the job for free but not good enough to get paid for it... That's the message the force is sending out.

Back to the topic, you look after number one in this world the best you can, that's my view.

[Giraffe]

I don't think you can compare it to the police, and in any case I am neither a regular officer nor a special who's whined about having been asked to come in having been knocked back for the regs. I've also never complained about PCSOs becoming regulars within 18 months. Again I don't believe any of that holds relevance to the fact that Tube drivers are paid too much (especially when you take into account that next year's exorbitant fare rises have only just been announced), and shouldn't be allowed to go on strike on a seemingly regular basis.

I agree that people should get the best deal that they can for them and their families, but the majority of Tube strikes are brought about for supposed 'safety' reasons - in other words they're struggling to find anything wrong with their pay and conditions but still want to cause misery anyway. They are paid a very good salary for a job that in reality they could fill for £25k a year and I find it unacceptable they they can continue to hold fare paying passengers to ransom in this way. Those that continue to strike (especially during the Olympics) should be sacked.

[Bas]

The Tube staff undermine the value of people's right to strike in my opinion.

Striking, for example after two workers got sacked, is ridiculous.

Take it to a tribunal like everyone else instead of bringing London to a standstill.

[Sailor]

The Tube staff undermine the value of people's right to strike in my opinion.

Striking, for example after two workers got sacked, is ridiculous.

Take it to a tribunal like everyone else instead of bringing London to a standstill.

Ditto

[Alex_101]

"Tube drivers are not badly paid and they should not need extra money just to do their job."


That sums up my views.

[Londonbased]

Aren't there some sort of rules about the amount of hours you can drive in a day?



Let me guess who has been "-1" my posts

I'm not a fan of -1 or +1 as they are used too frequently as a weapon against those whose only crime is to have a different opinion.
Everybody is allowed to believe what they want.