Underground train Strike

[reddster]

I just found out the train drivers earn on average �30,000/year. How can they justify going on strike, when average earnings are �22,000?

[coemgen]

I don't know where people get these "average earnings" figures from but down here in Devon, an average wage is between �10 - 12K. My husband was working as an assistant manager at a well known video store and he was still being paid �4.20 per hour.

[Cetti]

When my husband sees this sort of thing in the paper it is guaranteed to make him see red. Living in the " affluent south" (Dorset) we are supposed to be "mr and mrs average" ( more terms that have him apoplectic!) when in fact even though he is an avionics engineer he barely earns �15,000. Does anyone know where mr and mrs average live, it's not near us?

[grumpy_boy]

Get the facts before you start pontificating! I don't know what they earn and i don't care. What i do know is that they are expected to work on their days off and do extra hours after their shifts are meant to finish. This must go some way to bumping-up their salaries. Good luck to them! People are too scared of going on strike after all the anti-union legislation brought in in the 80's. I know something had to be done to curb union power but now it has gone too far.

[mikewith]

Can we assume from your question that train drivers are actuaally *below* average? If so - to what degree? How much - or how little - do you think they should be paid?

[Obo]

Work their holidays don't make me laugh they get 42 days... that 2 months off a year! plus a range of other benefits (such as 39 paid sick days per year, 6 months full paid maternity leave and paternity leave) which many of us dream of. They work a maximum 4.5 hours driving shift and as one of the previous answers says it can hardly be rocket science can it, certainly compared to the jobs of teachers, nurses, doctors, police and even the fire fighters... plus they get extra days off when the unions drag them out on strike... someone send me the application form!

[Obo]

Yes I did just read the ad in the standard if you're wondering!

[reddster]

I wanted to know what peoples opinions are. I work in London, have a degree, and I and continuing my studies in order to get a job that will pay me the average wage (or hopefully above!!) I think it is right that workers should be allowed to strike, but they should think very seriously about taking this action, or the ordinary man on the street might just get a bit p***ed off, and striking will not be an effective tool. I was using average wage as a benchmark, and also to see if there are many out there who are privileged enough to actually get paid this (or more). My sympathy was 100% with the tube strikers- until I heard what they received. There are a lot of people out there wish for jobs that paid as much.

[grumpy_boy]

wonder who you lot vote for!!

[GeordieSteve]

Don't come from up North! IT & network technician along with one other covering 300 users over 11 offices all over the country... 8 grand a year... O yea and unpaid overtime :) I love work.... yea

[mad_for_it]

trains shplanes - who needs em? With a high powered beemer like mine you dont need a train - sack em all - they should be payed the same as bus drivers and lorry drivers.

[GeordieSteve]

Mad_for_it, trains are cheaper than a beemer mate... trust me... mine just went bang :(

[DaveRH]

I guess they can justify the strike because the Union rep's tell them that can they should be earning more money. I'm afraid pay disputes will just go on and on and on until someone successfully breaks a major strike. Employers are not allowed to sack strikers for taking part in a union organised strike so basically these guys (and other unions) can strike again and again and again, demanding more and more money from the private companies that pay them with no fear of reprisal. Rail drivers couldn't care less about the people who they actually server (Joe Public) which makes them different from teachers, nurses, fire-fighters (who have been known to strike in the past). The people who should really get the blame for this are New Labour, who gave unions some of their power back but noone seems keen to point the finger...