Re: conditions as train operators

["Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au>]

John Kerley <deaftech@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
h4k34.145$_H3.639@ozemail.com.au">news:h4k34.145$_H3.639@ozemail.com.au...
>
> C. Dewick <craigd@lios.apana.org.au> wrote in message
> 82jt85$179$1@lios.apana.org.au">news:82jt85$179$1@lios.apana.org.au...
> >
> > Ooooo - legal action.. I'm so scared... I'm going to be locked in prison
> > because I'm telling everyone who reads this newsgroup right now that the
> > standard rate of pay for a driver thereafter grade with CityRail is
> $19.4131
> > per hour without overtime or shift penalties added in...
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Craig.
> > --
> >             Craig Ian Dewick            |       Stand clear - jaws
closing
> >  Send email to craigd@lios.apana.org.au |  Visit my Australian rail
> transport
> >    Professional Train Driver, Cityrail  |      and rail modelling web
> site:
> >        and HO scale rail modeller       |
> http://lios.apana.org.au/~craigd
>
> $19.4131 per hour is equivalent to $679.46 for a 35 hour week.
> London Underground drivers receive GBP26,000 pa which at current exchange
> rates is actually more than A$65,000 i.e $1250 for a 35 hour week, plus
two
> weeks extra holiday a year!
>
> This really does show how badly paid Australian drivers (operators!) are.
>

I'm not going to argue that Drivers are not paid enough, (I agree), however
to compare the wages of a London Underground Driver to an Australian Driver
purely on the basis of Rates of Currency Exchange is being a little bit
dishonest don't you think?

Employees in London are paid a "London Allowance" in addition to their base
rate, plus (using your exchange rates) the cost of living in the UK (not
just London) is enormous compared to Australia, (even Sydney). Take a train
journey from London to Birmingham (Virgin Trains), 114 miles First Class
Rail Fare, 42 Pounds one-way (1997 prices), what is the 1st class fare from
say Melbourne to Bendigo??? simular distance (although not in time). I bet
its nowhere near $107.70 (at .39P) You would get there and back and back to
Bendigo again for that much.

Hotels in London, (average dog kennel sized room in Paddington or Central
London) ranged from 75 to 125 pounds a night, (won't bother doing the
conversion), in Melbourne you can get better (motel) type accommodation in
the CBD from $85 to $100 per night, I 'm not trying to start an argument on
this issue but I believe you have to consider all the facts before making
such comparisons. The holiday leave probably includes accrued Public
Holidays?? Hence the 2 weeks more.

Bob.