Can we learn from the tube drivers?

[Alf W]

I know it's 'local news' only affecting London but I see the tube drivers are again set to disrupt thousands trying to get to Wembley tomorrow night to see England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra. Didn't we all say putting the new Wembley in the same place as the old Wembley was stupid but that's another debate.

Oh, before I go further heres the traditional CUK link at times such as this.

What I want to know is what sort of package these guys are on? They seem to go on strike twice a year and, as they can throw London into chaos, usually seem to get what they want.

I think we should learn from this. IT unions should be formed to paralyse business and the public sector at the merest hint of offshoring or ICTs.

You don't see loads of visa being issued to bring over cheapy resources from overseas to staff and drive tube trains do you? Hmm? Lesson to be learnt.

[sweetandsour]

I understand it is one of the hardest jobs to get into because no qualifications are required so there is a long list of people wanting the job.

I was on a course with an IT bod from Transport For London six years ago (I was a permie then) he told me that the drivers got 30K and six weeks holiday a year.

He added that at the time the union was pushing to get the holiday allowance increased to seven weeks.

[Churchill]

I understand it is one of the hardest jobs to get into because no qualifications are required so there is a long list of people wanting the job.

I was on a course with an IT bod from Transport For London six years ago (I was a permie then) he told me that the drivers got 30K and six weeks holiday a year.

He added that at the time the union was pushing to get the holiday allowance increased to seven weeks.

I'd get sick of people throwing themselves in front of the train.

[Amiga500]

I'd get sick of people throwing themselves in front of the train.

leaves

[BoredBloke]

Leaves don't throw themselves under the train - they fall. Also, they tend to be a bit thin on the ground in the underground! I'd be more concerned with people bringing on their exploding backpacks!

[oracleslave]

Leaves don't throw themselves under the train - they fall. Also, they tend to be a bit thin on the ground in the underground! I'd be more concerned with people bringing on their exploding backpacks!

Those would be abominable working conditions.

[Amiga500]

Leaves don't throw themselves under the train - they fall. Also, they tend to be a bit thin on the ground in the underground! I'd be more concerned with people bringing on their exploding backpacks!

A lot of underground trains run overground my learned friend, The throwing themselves was figurative not literal!

[expat]

I know it's 'local news' only affecting London but I see the tube drivers are again set to disrupt thousands trying to get to Wembley tomorrow night to see England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra. Didn't we all say putting the new Wembley in the same place as the old Wembley was stupid but that's another debate.

Oh, before I go further heres the traditional CUK link at times such as this.

What I want to know is what sort of package these guys are on? They seem to go on strike twice a year and, as they can throw London into chaos, usually seem to get what they want.

I think we should learn from this. IT unions should be formed to paralyse business and the public sector at the merest hint of offshoring or ICTs.

You don't see loads of visa being issued to bring over cheapy resources from overseas to staff and drive tube trains do you? Hmm? Lesson to be learnt.

And if we tried?

1. other IT contractors would step in.
2. it would threaten business and government, and that couldn't be allowed: resources would be brought in to protect the economy.

I might add that that doesn't happen when Tube drivers go on strike, because that only threatens the convenience of the public.

[sweetandsour]

I'd get sick of people throwing themselves in front of the train.

That doesn't seem to happen so much these days.

Besides, that's worth several months off for the trauma.

[Amiga500]

And if we tried?

1. other IT contractors would step in.
2. it would threaten business and government, and that couldn't be allowed: resources would be brought in to protect the economy.

I might add that that doesn't happen when Tube drivers go on strike, because that only threatens the convenience of the public.

Can we get in some new tube drivers from India at a reduced rate?