Bus drivers to strike over unsafe working practices

[Townleygreen]

This is very interesting...

http://saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/bus-driver-x-guest-blog-no-8.html

It seems TFL is trying to hide the fact that its working practices are leading to deaths and injuries on our roads.

[Loz]

The cynic in me says that all the 'safety demands' will be quietly shoved aside with an extra couple of quid in the pay packets.

Until next year, when the same squalid process will repeat itself.

[Parkdrive]

Loz Wrote:

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> The cynic in me says that all the 'safety demands'

> will be quietly shoved aside with an extra couple

> of quid in the pay packets.

>

> Until next year, when the same squalid process

> will repeat itself.

Alternatively those people have genuine concerns, but let's not worry about that eh?

[Otta]

Anyone know what an average bus driver earns?

I was gobsmacked the other day when a colleague was looking at jobs and showed me what you can earn diving a London Overground train. I know bus drivers will be a lot less, just wondering roughly what they're on.

[indiepanda]

Bus drivers aren't paid anything like what tube drivers get paid - they get around ?10 an hour.

[Loz]

Parkdrive Wrote:

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> Alternatively those people have genuine concerns,

> but let's not worry about that eh?

If they were indeed genuine, they wouldn't allow their concerns to be so easily bought out. Yet again and again, transport unions strike for 'safety reasons', yet it is settled with a pay rise.

Though I agree with Indiepanda, bus drivers are on nothing like what tube drivers are on. Tougher job, IMHO, as well. It's the reason why anyone can become a bus driver, but tube driving is a closed shop.

[Otta]

A tenner an hour to do that job? No thanks!

[Parkdrive]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Parkdrive Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> > Alternatively those people have genuine

> concerns,

> > but let's not worry about that eh?

>

> If they were indeed genuine, they wouldn't allow

> their concerns to be so easily bought out. Yet

> again and again, transport unions strike for

> 'safety reasons', yet it is settled with a pay

> rise.

>

So all they ever go on strike for is money, and if it's true they get ?10 an hour I don't blame them. I'm guessing the majority of posters on the EDF earn twice that and upwards, yet when workers earning piss poor money dare to go on, or threaten, strike they are accused of being mercenary. Wonder how many of us would get out of bed for a tenner an hour.

[Loz]

Parkdrive Wrote:

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> So all they ever go on strike for is money, and if

> it's true they get ?10 an hour I don't blame them.

> I'm guessing the majority of posters on the EDF

> earn twice that and upwards, yet when workers

> earning piss poor money dare to go on, or

> threaten, strike they are accused of being

> mercenary. Wonder how many of us would get out of

> bed for a tenner an hour.

You are (intentionally, I suspect) misrepresenting my words. If you think you deserve more money, then go on strike for that. As I said, I think bus drivers deserve to be paid for doing what is essentially a hard job.

But don't go on strike for 'safety reasons', when a pay-off is all you are seeking. Classic RMT bollox.

[aquarius moon]

Otta Wrote:

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> A tenner an hour to do that job? No thanks!

I would do anything for a tenner an hour ;-)

[missteak]

More hot tugger action. Give it a break ffs, its supposed to be the season of goodwill and all that.

[Townleygreen]

I see no one seems to be worried about the safety aspects of this matter!

[Eroguronansensu]

aquarius moon Wrote:

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> Otta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > A tenner an hour to do that job? No thanks!

>

>

> I would do anything for a tenner an hour ;-)

I have a tenner in my pocket ;-)

[Loz]

aquarius moon Wrote:

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> Otta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > A tenner an hour to do that job? No thanks!

> I would do anything for a tenner an hour ;-)

Bacon sandwich tester?

[uncleglen]

That map was for pedestrian collisions- they should make jaywalking an offence- people are always dashing out into the road without looking in many cases.

[Ruffler]

The Camberwell Green area was shown on the map as being a collision hotspot. I see people taking absurd risks all the time there, even dragging young children out into traffic. Use the pedestrian crossings FFS!

[Otta]

aquarius moon Wrote:

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> Otta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > A tenner an hour to do that job? No thanks!

>

>

> I would do anything for a tenner an hour ;-)

Drive a bus then.

[Nigello]

I always say "hello" to the bus driver, realising that it must be a rarity for them to have any form of conversation with a punter unless it's one giving them aggro. I agree they ought to be paid more and that they do a tough job usually very well. However, I also note that a small minority drive too fast and occasionally go through red lights (which I pull them up over), which unsettles me. Combine such behaviour with that of the all-too-frequent jaywalking passenger and injury and death can't be too far behind.

[aquarius moon]

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> aquarius moon Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Otta Wrote:

> >

> --------------------------------------------------

>

> > -----

> > > A tenner an hour to do that job? No thanks!

> >

> >

> > I would do anything for a tenner an hour ;-)

>

>

> Drive a bus then.

I can't even drive a car let alone a bus. If I could, I would.

[Parkdrive]

Townleygreen Wrote:

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> I see no one seems to be worried about the safety

> aspects of this matter!

On the contrary, I've stated previously that there may be genuine safety concerns. Loz on the other hand seems to think this in not about safety issues and bus drivers on piss poor money are doing it for nothing more than more money.

[Otta]

I think Loz has been very clear. He agrees that they are poorly paid, and suggests that if they are concerned about money, they should strike over pay.

If they are REALLY concerned about safety, they should strike specifically over those issues, and not go quiet about them because they are offered a pay rise to keep quiet.

[Loz]

Bingo, Otta.

[Alan Medic]

Having had to take the bus frequently over the last week due to LB being closed I can only agree with those who say ?10ph is too little. I can only guess that driving a train is a doddle compared to driving a bus.

[Lowlander]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> Having had to take the bus frequently over the

> last week due to LB being closed I can only agree

> with those who say ?10ph is too little. I can only

> guess that driving a train is a doddle compared to

> driving a bus.

I thought the same...until I looked into it and discovered it requires a years worth of training and extensive vetting

Try downloading a sim and see how hard it is!

A 12 coach train is around 480 tonnes of metal carrying at least 700 passengers, and takes about a mile to stop from 100mph

Compared with a 12 tonne bus carrying 70 passengers and struggling to reach 30mph. Not belittling it, but it's comparing apples and pears..