London Underground drivers are reportedly demanding a pay rise which would see their salary increase by 4.5% to £76,000 a year. If approved, the pay rise would see Tube drivers paid more than double the national average annual salary of around £37,500 a year, according to official figures.
It is said the RMT trade union is encouraging members to strike if Transport for London (TfL) does not offer the increase. Tube drivers are currently paid around £72,800 per annum. So what do you think? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section. Can’t see the poll below? Click here.
TfL has already offered Tube drivers a 2.8% pay rise, according to The Telegraph which reports it has seen a newsletter from the union stating: ”We demand a pay rise that protects us from the real cost of living. As always, RMT bases our pay negotiations on the Retail Price Index – RPI.”
RMT accepted a pay offer last year that saw Tube drivers get a 4.6% pay rise.
In April, the ASLEF union, which represents around 2,000 Tube drivers, said that as part of 2024 pay talks, London Underground agreed to bring forward a proposal for a four-day week with a paid meal break for drivers — however, the offer has so far been rejected by RMT.
The proposal delivers 34 hours a week rosters, giving drivers an extra day off every week and four and a half hours fewer at work every week.
A RMT spokesman confirmed the union is “seeking an improved offer” from TfL, while a TfL spokesman told The Telegraph: “Pay discussions have begun with all of our recognised trade unions on London Underground. We look forward to reaching a fair and affordable agreement for our colleagues.
“We would urge RMT to engage with us in our established processes to reach an agreement that would benefit our colleagues, their members and London as a whole.”
London Assembly Conservatives’ transport spokesman, Keith Prince, told the newspaper: “It’s never enough – [Sir Sadiq] Khan and the Labour Government bunged billions at union barons without any strings attached, and for nothing.”