Tube strike: The charts that reveal the 'cushy life' of tube drivers – £49k salary, 43 days off a year and a 36-hour week

Other London Underground staff are also paid favourably compared to similar professions

Matt Dathan
Friday 10 July 2015 07:40 BST
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Tube drivers have gone on strike over night shifts
Tube drivers have gone on strike over night shifts

The tube strike has caused many heated arguments on social media over the course of the 24-hour transport black-out in London.

Commuters have vented their frustration at over-paid tube drivers, who start on a £49,763 salary, while others insist the strike action is nothing to do with pay but with plans to run the tube network 24-hours a day from September.

And then there are others who point out that it's not just tube drivers who are on strike, but other London Underground staff too. The problem with that argument is that although they're paid less than tube drivers, their pay still compares favourably to similar professions.

Transport for London has confirmed that customer service assistants start on a generous pay and benefits package of around £30,000, while station supervisors rival tube drivers with salaries of more than £50,000.

All station staff are being offered a pay rise this year. London Underground do not pay cleaners directly - they're employed by contractors.

Regardless of what the strike is about, here are some charts that compare the pay and conditions enjoyed by tube drivers to those of similar professions. Figures are industry averages.

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