To think tube drivers are overpaid as most earn 60-70k and get free travel

[nickiredcar]

Surely they are only paid so much because they run a monopoly and people have no choice. I think it's an argument against unions. Considering lots are semi automatic it does seem too high that they are now out earning pilots.

Apparently they are striking because one of their drivers was sacked for failing drugs tests at work three times

Just had a look at the Aslef info, seems that Sundays are part of the working week? No rest day working either?

Crap deal, then in my opinion the tube driver salary for working in London is not enough!

It’s so good to see that the great majority of posts on here are supportive and only a few are mean spirited and defeatist.

What a bizarre OP.

Yes Sunday’s are part of our contracted hours as are bank holidays, remove the number of bank holidays from the annual leave entitlement and it doesn’t look so generous either . No rest day working allowed.

A lot different from other TOC's then. We can do overtime and Sundays not included in our week.

Bank holidays the same except we get a lieu day or can choose double pay instead.

I'd love a lot of other jobs to be under such scrutiny on here. Salary discussed and moaned about, job responsibilities belittled.

But the media decided to pick on tube drivers and some people are stupid enough to believe everything they read. Thankfully not everyone.

So OP, what’s your occupation and salary? 🤔

@Chesneyhawkes1 thank you ❤

I'm happy for them if they are well paid and would support everyone getting the best. So no I do not feel they get paid too much.

Nothing would be enough to cope with a jumper in front of me and the flash backs that must cause. It is unimaginably common with most drivers having it once if not more in their careers can you imagine the stress as they pull into a crowded station with people struggling to keep away from the edge as another surge hits the platform.

The people who manage a fully automated Tube Station (station manager / senior station manager) earn about 200-300k without benefits. I find that more shocking because that’s more than a NHS consultant salary.

I don't understand why anyone would care what the tube drivers make. That has nothing to do with anything. It certainly isn't the reason for high fares: you can thank privatisation, executives and shareholders for that.
Is it just sour grapes? If so, stop. You are blaming working people for just doing their jobs. It has NOTHING to do with you. If you think you are underpaid, welcome to the world. Upskill, look for something else, retrain, move or learn to live with it.

Bliss they're bitter and envious. Not very attractive characteristics!

@HellonHeels - I agree. And such a waste of energy. So glad I am old and wise.

Cherries, no they don’t, those are the senior managers/directors who oversee the whole system, station managers are on around 60

It’s not just the actual suicides, it’s the drunks who think it’s funny to play fight and pretend they’re going to throw their friends in front of you. It’s the slacker parents who let kids play around on scooters near the edge of the platform, it all affects you and you have to be constantly on the ball.

I don't understand why anyone would care what the tube drivers make.

I think it is relevant when they strike at the drop of a hat, causing other people to lose money/ have to take leave/ inconvenience. It isn't a job I'd like to do personally though, I don't begrudge them the money.

I'm sure someone will be along in a minute going on about the wonders of unions but overall economically strikes reduce the amount of money available for us all to get paid. It'd be terrific if the train drivers, nurses, pilots, lorry drivers, teachers etc etc striked in the same way as the tube drivers the country quite simply would not function.

YANBU. The only reason they even exist is because they are constantly striking causing havoc. Either they shouldn’t be permitted to strike unless it is over safety concerns or the whole system should be automated with a comparatively small staff who control the automated system.

@bliss if they just did their jobs I don’t think anyone would care. But they bring London to a standstill a couple of times a year disrupting everyone else’s lives over their pay disputes. That’s why people care about how much they make because they are forced to care.

I don't understand why anyone would care what the tube drivers make

Because people approx £3K a year to travel on the (overcrowded and unreliable) tube. No wonder fares are so extortionate if that's what drivers get paid.