Yesterday the whole of the Underground was closed due to a tube strike. Justified? Not in my opinion. The unions don't want to run a 24hr tube for 2 nights a week on selected Underground Lines (I think it is 3 out of the 11 lines). After 3-4 months training Tube drivers have a starting salary of £49,000! They already have 50days holiday a year. They will be given bonus payments and days off for working a night shift. So why are they on strike I ask myself. Apparently they want to work 32 hours a week over 4 days. Not sure what planet they live on but it's not the same as the majority of the work force in the UK. I just hope London Transport does not give in to their demands. (To put it in perspective, London bus drivers have a starting salary between £17,000 and £25,000)
I had a hospital appointment yesterday and usually get the tube, but I had to walk instead. Not difficult for me but many others would have struggled. The buses were crowded with endless bus queues. The traffic was more horrendous than usual.
On the plus side I noticed some new buildings and reflections to share with you. End of my rant!
Sharing with James at
Weekend Reflections
I saw the mess on TV ! They are crazy, send them to Belgium they probably would get half of this ! I think their working conditions are very good ! I fully agree with you ! It is certainly not such a stressing work to drive with a computer ! We always have troubles with the Bus drivers but not for the same reasons, they go on strike each time a driver gets a slap in his face, and then they shout for more security ! If they would be a little bit more friendly and polite, that wouldn't happen. Crazy world ! Your photos are beautiful !
ReplyDeleteThat would be a big problem when the tube stops. Lucky that you could walk. The buildings and reflections are great.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your reflections, of both the rant type and the windows.
ReplyDeleteDiana
What a great post for me. I was in Shoreditch as you may recall about a month ago and stayed in that very hotel you photographed (the M by Montcalm), and had coffee in the Shoreditch Grind. Small world! I read a letter in the paper yesterday in which someone said that Boris should do what Reagan did in the 80's when he sacked the striking air traffic controllers. Sack the overpaid tube drivers and see how many people line up to take their jobs. I blame the union of course. They incite such malicious behaviour.
ReplyDeleteTrains. Dear to my heart, and I have followed the the dispute through various media sources. Boiling it down to the essence as I see it, Tube drivers and ancillary staff do not want to work all night and who could blame them for not wanting to being on the tracks and platforms at 3am. While they are well rewarded, their pay is equivalent to train drivers in Australia, and I can't say I have ever heard anyone here say our train drivers are overpaid. A single mistake by a train driver can result in hundreds of deaths. That is a huge responsibility, especially if people think about mistakes they may have made in their own workplace. I'm afraid I will differ with popular opinion here and say I like to have happy and work content train drivers up front. The alternative is beyond consideration, that is until driverless trains, which I have no problem with. The behaviour of The City and Wall Street have caused far more damage to British lives than a Tube Strike. Oh yes, Sister needed to be at the airport to come home, but there was the strike. I suggested to check if Heathrow Express was running, and given a couple hours ago they are in Singapore, I guess they managed.
ReplyDeleteCan hardly imagine the chaos in London yesterday without Tube service. It seems to me the drivers knew they would be working a few nighttime hours when they took the job and could have chosen some other work. Many others work in jobs that require nighttime work. I love that last reflection.
ReplyDeletean appointment is a great excuse to get out and get some exercise and shoot pictures. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteLove all your building photos. Too bad about the strike - terrible the workers are inconveniencing so many people.
ReplyDeleteThese are a fabulous series of different reflection images. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection of different new and old building reflection... Admirable architecture... Great shots...
ReplyDeletelove the reflections and the pointed view of the building. As for strike, sometimes those with great work shouts the hardest :(
ReplyDeleteAt least you had the opportunity to make some nice photo's!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful reflections!
ReplyDeleteGood thing you took your camera with you on the walk! I'm sure it made the trek a whole lot more pleasant than otherwise.
ReplyDeleteWe heard about the strikes here in Germany. Certainly working those night shifts would be voluntary and with the benefit of extra pay, they probably wouldn't have trouble finding workers willing to do those shifts. I don't understand the strike either and I'm sure they are not getting public sympathy!
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, love your reflections. At least something good came out of your walk.