Afternoon:
15°c
£500 for Tube drivers to work during the Olympics
Dick Murray and Peter Dominiczak17 May 2011
Tube bosses are planning to offer extra payments of up to £500 to staff for working during the Olympics in a bid to prevent any strike action.
More than 12,000 Tube staff could benefit as virtually all will be working one way or another during the games.
London Underground is set to follow a "ground-breaking" deal agreed between Network Rail, responsible for the national network, and the powerful RMT and TSSA unions.
They have accepted the NR deal of a 10 per cent pay rise over two years, up to £500 "Olympic" money and a "no sacking" agreement of any staff during the games.
Peter Hendy, London's Transport Commissioner, told the Evening Standard today he was studying the NR deal. "I think the NR deal is a pretty sensible one from the company's point of view. I'm also pleased that the RMT and TSSA unions have accepted it."
Mr Hendy emphasised, however, that a deal has not yet been agreed with the unions and negotiations are continuing.
Bob Crow, the RMT boss, told a meeting of the London Assembly's transport committee today there was as yet "no formal position" on the Tube pay deal. But he made clear: "We are looking for the same if not better than the Network Rail deal."
Under the Olympic deal about 800 staff would receive £3.50 per hour additional pay for special duties covering the games. There is agreement not to dismiss any staff during the Games period - instead any staff member will be suspended on pay pending official hearings once the games finish.
There is also agreement that any outstanding or new dispute which occurs during the Games is referred to Acas and that no industrial action can take place during the Acas process. The Mayor faces a clash with the unions over pay for working during the Olympics. They have previously turned down a five-year deal offering a four per cent increase this year followed by increases of RPI plus 0.5 per cent in subsequent years. The RMT and TSSA unions have set the standard for Olympic pay securing a "ground-breaking" deal with NR for mainline staff.
Around 10,000 staff will receive a 10 per cent increase covering the next two years with up to £500 on top for those staff connected with Olympic services.
The unions have also secured an astonishing "no sackings during the Games" commitment. Tube bosses want to secure a tacit no-strike agreement - but accept that it cannot be guaranteed.
Reader views (40)
@Markymark "..... it's not for sure...." Oh, yeah?, let's wait and see.
@
The unions have been waiting for a chance like this
for more than twenty years - the kicking they got from Maggie T. still hurts, so it's payback time.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the unions trying to screw more money for themselves; just don't try to convince the rest of us that it's all in some noble cause.
- TinyTim, TheGreatestShowOnEarth, Lunnun, innit?, 17/05/2011 23:23
Report abuse
What,a tube story and no comment from John (Bob Crow) Lowe?
- Steve, In a labour supporters thick head, 17/05/2011 21:16
Report abuse
Tiny Tom I wondered how long before the nurses were bought into this. Just because people do shifts doesn't mean they all work the same hours. Police do nights as well but retire a lot earlier so it's never a level playing field is it. Just because one sector doesn't ask for more thats not a reason for us not to. And as I said we have not asked for anything for the Olympics yet - Lul have hinted at an offer it's not for sure.
- Markymark, London, 17/05/2011 20:51
Report abuse
Yes, shift-work *is* a PITA, isn't it? I've done it. Screws up your family life, your social life and your digestion.
Our nurses and A&E staff don't rate it either, but, hey, it comes with the package. I wonder if they'll ask for a bung for pulling EDs during the Olympics?.
- TinyTim, Stratford United Stadium, Lunnun, innit?, 17/05/2011 19:58
Report abuse
33 years service on lul. £500 less tax and ni. take home about £320. i like to get the same as the managers plus use of a company car and 1st class rail travel. i just glad i retired in january. disgraceful.
- steve, grays, 17/05/2011 19:06
Report abuse
"I saw this coming....wait until we are closer to the Olympics and then watch this shower hang us out to dry. We really should have sorted this out before we even thought about bidding for the games. I said from the word go that this is what would happen. It is a disgrace!"
suspicious, London, 17/05/2011 17:22
You seen what coming?? Staff getting £500 for working extra hours in the middle of the night? How DARE they!!! They should do it all for nothing while the rest of us enjoy the games!
- TubeDriver, London, 17/05/2011 18:07
Report abuse
Oh I completely agree suspicious! Working Class people being given a voice by their unions is an absolute disgrace! Hopefully Dave Cameron will put a stop to this.
Note: Please join my group 'Support rotund office workers in their fight against tube strikes'
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 17/05/2011 17:34
Report abuse
Having worked on the Underground for forty years l bet the staff are laughing what with there 35 days holiday a year plus £500 bonus for the Olimpics.Would anyone want to work thier unusal hours not being able to plan your weekends with your family.They do provide a service and l think a good service
- Alan Day, Estepona, 17/05/2011 17:31
Report abuse
I saw this coming....wait until we are closer to the Olympics and then watch this shower hang us out to dry. We really should have sorted this out before we even thought about bidding for the games. I said from the word go that this is what would happen. It is a disgrace!
- suspicious, London, 17/05/2011 17:22
Report abuse
Really fed let's see of you really want to do it shall we ? I start 7 nights today 11pm until 7am then I finish Sunday 7am and am back on duty at 7pm until 7am Monday morning. Yes the pay sounds great but what about the things we give up for it. My sons school has social events and I'm unable to go also last year I had no holiday as my holiday is allocated for me . I know others do shifts but I know of no one else who do seven rostered i'n a row - so go on give the number a call and let us know how you get on.
- Markymark, London, 17/05/2011 17:12
Report abuse
- Really fed, East Londonistan, 17/05/2011 16:35
Go on then give them a call, perhaps that will open your eye's, but then you'll have to put up with being called things like useless pleb and layabout, but check first if you have a missus cos ultimately that'll be the biggest obstacle when you can't have a drink at night cos you got work in the morning or even have to miss the event altogether cos your working that night, this shift work mullarkey ain't all it's cracked up to be even on exhorbitant wages.
- John Hardon, Watfordistan, 17/05/2011 16:55
Report abuse
I think it is a sensible and reasonable move to pay £500 for the extra work that tube workers will be doing during the games.
My own employer,the london fire Brigade is paying up to £3,000 to firefighters for extra work during the Olympic Games.
- Bill Pitt, Victoria, 17/05/2011 16:54
Report abuse
Driverless trains on The Tube. Oh dear, dream on. Sorry to disappoint the "I hate all tube drivers" brigade but, - To pack up to eight tin cans with up to and over 1300 sardines during the rush hour and then send it unmanned through a twelve foot diameter metal sewer pipe up to and over 300 foot underground and expect it to come out the other end time and again is insane. But as many "I hate LU staff" office net surfers here are £499.99p short of £500 quid, insane is not surprising. Tube trains break down, they're unreliable, and above all there will be no one there to get a driverless train going, and if there is no one there to get it going, there will be no one there to get you out. Which is why you will won't see driverless trains on the Underground for decades, if not ever.
- Rob, London UK, 17/05/2011 16:51
Report abuse
And another council house for Mr & Mrs Crow who despite earning over £150,000 think its OK for you and I to pay for this accomodation. SCUM.
- Fulhamite, Fulham, 17/05/2011 16:36
Report abuse
@tubedriver I will be calling them later today!
Pay is beter than my current job, The hours are better, the benefits are better AND you getting paid the "Olympic Money" bribe not to embarrass Boris!
If you think your hard done by I can only say you have had life easy mate OR you believe the clap trap Bully Boy Bob speaks on your behalf! you really have never been hard up mate I can assure you, but good luck to you if you can get it take it but don't try to kid me its awful I would swap jobs with an LU driver tomorrow and that's a promise.
- Really fed, East Londonistan, 17/05/2011 16:35
Report abuse
quote...........Pay us extra to do the job we're paid to do in the first place - Lord Hingebottom
Isn't that what Bankers get??
- Cynical Ol Git, The land where the Bong-tree grows, 17/05/2011 16:23
Report abuse
"I'm surprised Bob Crowe doesn't go for broke - £100k a year minimum, 30 hour week, and a chauffeur driven limo to the station for every RMT member to start their shift. They only need threaten strike action and whatever they demand would be a done deal."
Lol, you got me thinking now! Seriously though, the RPI was above what they're offering. Hardly blackmail!
- TubeDriver, London, 17/05/2011 16:18
Report abuse
Alan London uk I like it id agree to that. Funny how you weren't spouting off last week when national rail got the same offer. And on driverless trains sorry to disappoint you but that does not look likely to happen for a while yet the infrastructure I believe is not capable and you also need to pay for it. It's probably cheaper to give us what they offer don't forget we have not balloted for strikes during the games this is an offer from Lul as they can see how much more work we will do.
- Markymark, London, 17/05/2011 16:15
Report abuse
Peter J, Let's hope so. And to put my jib in, I don't agree with the £ 500 bonus for this event, the extra on the hourly rate yes, same as I disagree with the banker's bonuses, I have donated my bonuses and performance related pay in the past to charity
Tube Driver, I was done at 55 Broadway ouch..
- John Hardon, Watfordistan, 17/05/2011 16:07
Report abuse
It is extraordinary how L.U. and the Mayor's office always cave in to the RMT's blackmail.
One has to agree the day of driverless trains cannot come soon enough.
I'm surprised Bob Crowe doesn't go for broke - £100k a year minimum, 30 hour week, and a chauffeur driven limo to the station for every RMT member to start their shift. They only need threaten strike action and whatever they demand would be a done deal.
- alan, London UK, 17/05/2011 16:00
Report abuse
This new pay deal seems fine if it keeps London moving during the Olympics. I think they should write into the agreement that if they strike then they lose the bonus. I don't see why that can't be made an official term.
- Peter J, Canterbury, Kent, 17/05/2011 15:52
Report abuse
"Er Tubedriver, it may have been when you started, that's now the Met Bar, unless they have moved back there recently. try 02072221234 they'll direct you to the money for old rope job line."
Lol that was 1997.
- TubeDriver, London, 17/05/2011 15:40
Report abuse
Oh dear, has the green eyed monster got the better of the Private Sector?!
As I said, driverless trains will be a long while away yet.
Any true Capitalist would know it isn't very cost effective on a business to want to axe brand new tubes that TFL have brought and introduce those DLR style trains which are not exempt from strike action either.
Isn't Capitalism all about making as much money as you can whilst paying out very little to those who bring it in? No wonder why the Conservatives are against unions - they make sure the employees get fair pay.
- Anon, London, 17/05/2011 15:40
Report abuse
"Pay us extra to do the job we're paid to do in the first place or we'll embarrass the country in front of the world. How can this blackmail be acceptable ?"
Lord Hingebottom, Hingebottom Bay, UK, 17/05/2011 15:09
NEWSFLASH!!! We'll be doing EXTRA work during the olympics. The tube will barely shut down that month.
- TubeDriver, London, 17/05/2011 15:38
Report abuse
Blackmail and a disgrace! Advance the day when the lines are run by driverless trains.
- David Llewelyn Davies, London, Great Britain, 17/05/2011 15:25
Report abuse
John hardon I wouldn't worry yourself with galland abbeyville he or she I'm sure will most likely have all the time off for the games. You see these people only notice that we are around when we threaten to disrupt their little lives. Until then most I think galland rides a bike now , but most live i'n their own little worlds unaware of the many people i'n London that het them around and keep them moving. And I don't just mean on the tube- there is national rail - London buses and many more. But as we have said before these people could always apply for a job but we know they won't, for one they couldn't afford the pay cut
- Markymark, London, 17/05/2011 15:12
Report abuse
Pay us extra to do the job we're paid to do in the first place or we'll embarrass the country in front of the world. How can this blackmail be acceptable ?
- Lord Hingebottom, Hingebottom Bay, UK, 17/05/2011 15:09
Report abuse
Er Tubedriver, it may have been when you started, that's now the Met Bar, unless they have moved back there recently. try 02072221234 they'll direct you to the money for old rope job line.
- John Hardon, Watfordistan, 17/05/2011 14:58
Report abuse
"Does anyone on here have the telephone number of their recruitment line? looks like money for old rope to me!" Londonistan, 17/05/2011 14:10
The Office is at Baker Street. Go on, I dare you! But I know you won't! Lol
- TubeDriver, London, 17/05/2011 14:47
Report abuse
"Does anyone on here have the telephone number of their recruitment line? looks like money for old rope to me!"
Londonistan, 17/05/2011 14:10
The office is at Baker Street. Go on, I dare you! Bet you don't though! Lol
- TubeDriver, London, 17/05/2011 14:46
Report abuse
My heart bleeds for you John.
No really, it does.
- Galland, Abbeville, 17/05/2011 13:30
Actually Galland I couldn't give a flying what you think...Enjoy the games if your boss will give you the time off from your 9 - 5 mundane existance.
- John Hardon, Watfordistan, 17/05/2011 14:36
Report abuse
The Metro up in the North East works very well without drivers.
Pity they can't do the same on London Underground and save a lot of money and keep the fares down.
Can't see that this is a skilled job.
- D Short, Tunis, Tunisia, 17/05/2011 14:21
Report abuse
So the management of LU have been so totally neutered by bully boy Bob Crow and his commie cohorts that they are reduced to offering (Customer Funded)bribes to tube drivers simply to do the job they are already very well paid to perform!
Does anyone on here have the telephone number of their recruitment line? looks like money for old rope to me!
- Really fed up with this country, Londonistan, 17/05/2011 14:10
Report abuse
Spot on TruBrit
- Cynical Ol Git, The land where the Bong-tree grows, 17/05/2011 14:06
Report abuse
i think the NR deal was a good one over two years it gives both sides stability. The problem with lul offer is 5 years we would be mad to accept a 5 year deal.And john hardon you are correct people will moan that they have to do these hours you mention but what they forget is that these are their contracted hours. The problem is most people moaning on these websites are not the ones who will be working but the 9 - 5s who will no doubt be able to book the time off for the games.
- markymark, london, 17/05/2011 13:36
Report abuse
However I will be forced to change my daily routine so others can enjoy the games, forced to re-arrange my child care issues, and after all that, listen to you people whinging about how well paid LUL staff are, we dont get it for doing nothing as some of the ignorant poster on here think.
- John Hardon, Watfordistan, 17/05/2011 13:12
My heart bleeds for you John.
No really, it does.
- Galland, Abbeville, 17/05/2011 13:30
Report abuse
Also what your report fails to mention is the extra unsocial hours needed to switch from a 20 hour traffic day to a 24 hour day, late turns that would normally finish at 01:30 will now go on until probably 03:30, getting to bed at 05:00ish, or an early turn getting up at 02:00 instead of 04:00, yes I hear you say " other get up at that time or get home at that time ", right, but that is there normal day, these staff are being forced to accomodate 24 hour running to facilitate the event, ( I for one couldn't give a stuff about the games ),However I will be forced to change my daily routine so others can enjoy the games, forced to re-arrange my child care issues, and after all that, listen to you people whinging about how well paid LUL staff are, we dont get it for doing nothing as some of the ignorant poster on here think.
- John Hardon, Watfordistan, 17/05/2011 13:12
Report abuse
If these people are so important to the running a smooth transport system, why not, you get what you pay for,unless its a city banker.
- Tru Brit, London, 17/05/2011 13:06
Report abuse
Hold on people - a dose of the green eyed monster is soon to affect the Private Sector! 
- Anon, London, 17/05/2011 13:05
Report abuse
The unions have also secured an astonishing "no sackings during the Games" commitment................
What's so astonishing about this, the games are for a three / four week period, to sack someone from day one of suspension to the disciplinary hearing takes 3 months or so with legals etc, so anyone dismissed during the games would have committed an offence some 3 months or more earlier anyone committing an offence during the game will be dealt with afterwards, so LUL will not hear company disciplinary hearing during the games, they'll probably either be at the games or buzzing around like flies trying to get noticed, so this is hardly sensational or ground breaking.
- John Hardon, Watfordistan, 17/05/2011 12:49
Report abuse
