Does it matter what the difference in wages etc is? Probably most trades/professions could argue that another person is better off than themselves. I don’t care if some one earns more/has better conditions than me. If I felt that they were striking in an attempt to right a wrong I would support them, not turn against them.
Those London seats who will never vote Consevative get a lot more investment per person than those in the North who put them in power. Perhaps its time to redress the balance.
The most recent December strike in South Western Trains territory appears to be solely political ... I'd disagree the wage differential is important it shows how much or how little we value people who undertake a particular role in society ... lets take another comparison hospital sister done many years training saves lives every day gets significantly less than a train driver.
there is only one reason train drivers get good wages - privatisation when privatisation got into the swing the companys thought great we can improve rail travel and give the public more services the trains were available but the drivers weren't - then they realised the small print " any delays and fines will be issued " so began a wages war between the rail companys each willing to pay drivers more ( you can't train a driver in a day) even the company i worked for gave the drivers a massive wage rise to retain them ( a middle manager at york asked his boss when he was going to get a big rise and the boss said" your not if want a big rise become a driver" he did)
Even I was shocked by the amount of seats we gained in the north of england especially in the labour heartland of the NE but I have a question......... How the hell did labour manage to get 203 seats
I quite agree with this,I had a similar conversation/ debate / argument about this yesterday at work,I work at an electrical contractors , everyone within that business including the top men are all at the same social level - no one person is better or lower than the next man / woman. But we couldn’t agree what ‘class’ we should be labelled as ? God knows what I am , brought up on a tough council estate, left school at 16 With not fantastic grades, got my trade and grafted hard all my life, luckily never been unemployed , now have a 3 bed semi without a mortgage and a wife and teen daughter , I earn a good wage and pay my way . I have to wear a shirt and tie at work and often have to get togged up in a penguin suit in the line of duty but I prefer jeans and t shirt . So I really don’t think I fit into a typical ‘class’ ???
How many rich and famous came from humble beginnings? thousands of them. they applied themselves and made good. My parents told me 'life is what you make it' and that still applies today. Regarding the bad old 1970's, we had enough of it and went to New Zealand for a few years, best thing we ever did, it was life changing.
I agree - it shows how much or how little we value people who undertake particular roles in society, but your lot imposed austerity cuts and pay freezes on NHS staff, so your arguing against your own opinion. Just as reference (NHS Agenda For Change) - this is the Band 8a payscale that includes modern matron (nursing) and nurse consultant < 1 year experience £44,606 1-2 years £44,606 2-3 years £44,606 3-4 years £46,331 4-5 years £48,324 5+ years £50,819 Remember that nurses, ward sisters etc who have been in the NHS for many years will exceed these STARTING PAY bands and can move through pay spinal points etc so actually earn a lot more than this, and might also have access to other benefits eg London weighting, subsidised accommodation in Halls of Residence etc. The crux of your opinion seems to be that train drivers shouldn't be allowed to strike to improve their lot because they already get paid more money than NHS ward sisters (the rail strikes are about stopping driver only operated trains and maintaining passenger safety, not about pay) - and they shouldn't be allowed to strike if it has any political motive. I didn't have you down as a communist.
