to think that Sunday's train fiasco in London is all the evidence needed to NOT give the tube/train staff a bonus for working during the olympics?

[maxpower]

First off, I really don't get why they think the deserve extra pay for doing their job during the olympics in any case. But looking at the poor planning and management of an influx of passengers returning from the Thames pageant yesterday, they've hardly demonstrated an exceptional level of service that might warrant a bonus. If they can't manage to cope with extra passengers for an afternoon, why do they think we'll (tax payers that is) be prepared to pay them extra for weeks of chaos?

Do you have a link?

I agree they shouldn't be paid more just because there'll be more passengers.

I mean they wouldn't expect to take a pay cut if there were less passengers, would they?

Not sure what fiasco you mean ... Do you have a link? We watched the flotilla from the Tate Modern and then walked to London Bridge - tube to Bank then walked to Fenchurch Street. No problems at all - few minutes wait for the and then maybe 15 minutes queuing to get into Fenchurch Street. Was quite impressed really how well it was organised!

YANBU. The idea that they should get a bonus for working during the Olympics is just nauseating.

I hope Boris cracks down hard after the Olympics. I personally would be happy to make alternative transport arrangements for a few weeks if it meant Bob Crowe and his cronies get their comeuppance. But I don't hold much hope - Boris is hopelessly wet.

But the frontline staff don't do the planning or the management. The extra pay they will get is for changes to their agreed hours, locations, and doing longer and later days - over and above what constitutes their usual working agreement.

The people who do the planning and the management are sitting in offices pen-pushing. They are not out there dealing with overcrowding. I agree that the system will struggle to cope during the Olympics but i'd be looking to the people in charge to answer, not denying the workers a little extra pay. Most underground workers with families will end up paying their bonuses out in childcare costs to cover their adjusted/extended shifts, plus the time to sleep if they are working until 3am. School holidays too, so it will be tricky.

At least the workers have to ask for extra money. MPs just vote it to themselves, directors and CEOs of large companies get their buddies in similar positions to agree that anyone in that position should get a few extra millions for doing their job, or even for failing to do it.

Does any body know how much a tube driver gets paid? I think it's about £45,000.

It is, Red.

I don't agree with any of the bonuses. And I work for NWR.

The bonus is to incentivise them to not be off work during the Olympics, as the transport system can't afford weaknesses due to absenteeism. It is much more cost effective to put an incentive scheme in place. The same is often the case in other industries, manufacturing with a full order book, hospitality during the Xmas season etc.

Maybe YANBU.
Do train drivers have to work more hours or do you just need more carriages. I have no idea. If you can't train people up to become temporary drivers then probably you do need to look at a bonus or two because quite clearly they will need to be there all the time (no illness, no holiday, no time off for compassionate leave).

However Sunday was a joke. The 10am train to Waterloo on the well advertised special day of "jubilee celebration"had people rammed down the aisles for over an hour because it didn't have enough carriages. Literally rammed as people were packed solid down the length of the train and this was a good hour before London. However it would have taken 3 extra carriages not another driver to make our train work.

Regards the lack of carriages - that error lies solely with the management responsible for planning, not the driver who is paid to drive whichever train is provided to them on their prescribed route.

if you have a platform long enough for ten carriages, and you put thirteen on, the passengers in the extra three have to jump on and off in the tunnels

The underground was fine yesterday.... Mainline trains, not so!