#londoneer

Due to recent events I thought I kinda elaborate a little bit on the irritation which is the tube strikes in London.

They are not happening that often. Didn’t used to anyways but they are happen often enough that you kinda notice that they do happen. Whilst the proud Londoneer, humble and noble in it’s nature, is well prepared for the fight and tragedy of an overcrowded and elongated travel ahead, we still have reasons to moan about it.

The last tube strike was about money and the upcoming changes in the tube network in regards of the night lines, which in my humble opinion are a great thing. I personally feel way better about using an underground system which is highly surveyed than waiting at a bus stop in a shady corner or walk along streets. Not that I necessarily think that something will happen - and I do have my very own thoughts on the super surveillance as well as many others may do too, but if I had to choose between tube and bus or walking, I’d always pick tube above anything (except I do feel very ill from too much or too mixed liquids).

I only picked up a few headlines and statistics about the last tube strike, but I think the real reasons behind the strike where not necessarily the tube drivers per say and their salary, but managers and above who kept pushing the drivers to stand up for something which in comparison is not necessarily the worst of all situations.

Having seen the “base salary” for entry and experienced tube driver, I’m almost considering to become one, as it pays well better than my current job in a social enterprise as developer.

The drivers would have gotten a good deal with the x % increase of the salary for those whom participate in night shifts, yet they refused. That was offered after they would have liked a fixed amount in addition to their current salary. The difference was not too big per say in comparison. 

The only victims of the strikes really are the passengers. Hard working people of London and tourists, which will have to allocate a lot of additional travel time into their routine. 

Dear Tube drivers, we all would like more money. Please don’t let it out on us - as we can’t change anything for you if you are not willing to cooperate neither when you get offered a raise in salary.