Why are SWT train drivers unhappy with a 4.5% pay rise on a £41K salary + overtime?

Question

Sounds like an enviable deal to many. Why is this regarded as insufficient? I think many people will get a smaller increase this year, if anything at all. Should they really spoil things for millions of commuters by going on strike in an effort to get even more?

Answer 1

They are being greedy; Britain is a very materialistic country;

they also know that there is likely to be a Conservative government in two years; the Franchises will then probably be reorganised and expendtiure on the railways severely reduced; services will be cut and many drivers will lose their jobs

Answer 2

Because they are greedy b******s. I would love to be a train driver on £41k a year.

Answer 3

Because anything less than inflation - real inflation, not the government fiddled figures - represents a pay cut in real terms.

I should add that I am not a SWT train driver.

Answer 4

like most Train Drivers, they are a group which can still create havoc on the Network to get their demands filled.  In their defence, they do work very unsociable hours, in control of a huge killing machine with anything up to a 1000 people (approx on a 12 car full train) and like most rail workers governed by extremley strict and complex rules concerning their whole lives (including free time, for instance do you realise any safety critical rail staff (Platforms, Signalmen, Gaurds, Drivers) are all subject to a breath test with less than 50% of the drink drive limit and drugs tests which means we can not even take night nurse or any plus style pills).

Answer 5

I cant address the raise issue, although I can tell you in the states that a 4.5% raise wouldnt keep up with the rising cost of fuel, it would be nice but . . . . hard to call it a "raise" if it doesnt bring more money into the household.

As far as the strike, workers have the right to withhold their services if they dont feel they are getting fairly compensated for their effort.

If the millions of commuters are going to be inconvenienced then they should be taking their grievances to the employer that operates the train system, NOT the workers.

They are just trying to make aliving same as everyone else and if they saw an alternative they would nto be walking out.

A strike is never an easy decision but it is one of the few meaningful tools that workers have left.

Answer 6

it beggar's belief!,they want to try living on basic wage like me,and a few thousand other poor souls!!!!!

Answer 7

put a sock in it silly woman