In this interview, Steven Jones, a Northern train driver based in Wigan, offered insights into the issues centred around pay stagnation, the subsequent erosion of wages due to inflation, and the role of strong unions within the railway industry.
Steven’s perspective sheds light on the complexities surrounding the dispute and highlights why, despite recent increases, many drivers feel their wages do not match the increasing cost of living or the demands of their job.
When asked if he felt train drivers were adequately paid prior to the recent pay rise, Steven pointed out that the compensation varies across different train companies due to differing terms and conditions.
For Northern drivers, he acknowledged, "we were well paid before the latest pay rise, but effectively having five years of no pay rise meant that what was a pretty good wage had just been completely eroded by inflation."
According to Steven, this five year pay freeze stands out, even compared to the rest of the public sector, which has also suffered financially over the past few years.
The extended freeze, he explained, left train drivers needing a pay rise simply to keep up with inflation.
The recent 14.25% pay rise for train drivers, though seemingly a significant increase, was a cumulative increase intended to cover the past five years.
"It worked out at something like 2.8 percent a year when inflation was around 14-15 percent in one year," Steven noted, emphasising that while the pay rise appeared high on the surface, it fell short of compensating for the increase in the cost of living over that period.
"The reality is it wasn’t a fantastic pay rise, but it was as good as we were going to get in the circumstances," he added.
Steven believes that the pay rise was essential, if only to restore some of the financial stability lost during the freeze.
Steven refuted claims that the recent pay rise was excessive, arguing that it barely kept up with inflation, which had reached historic highs.
"I don’t think the pay rise is excessive because… 14.25 percent over five years isn’t a lot per year when inflation was the highest I’ve ever seen in my lifetime," he asserted.
For Steven and other drivers, the pay rise was a necessary correction rather than an undue benefit, particularly due to the demanding nature of the job and the high levels of responsibility involved in transporting thousands of passengers daily.
As Steven points out, "We are paid well, but it’s a very responsible job."
One aspect of the debate that Steven addressed was the rights and protections that train drivers enjoy, largely because of strong unions.
While he found some rights surprising when he first joined the industry, he recognised their role in maintaining high retention rates among railway staff.
"I can’t think of any other industry in the UK where the staff retention level is as high as the railway," he said, adding that this is largely due to strong unions' success in negotiating favourable working conditions.
Steven contrasted this high retention level with the challenges faced by both public and private sectors, where staff shortages are often widespread.
The rights negotiated by railway unions, he argued, have created a positive work environment that attracts and retains workers which is a stark contrast to the high turnover seen in other industries.
While recent increases might seem overly generous on the surface, the broader context of inflation, cost of living, and years without raises makes drivers look at the situation from a different perspective.
For Steven and others in his field, the fight for fair compensation is about maintaining the value of their wages, as well as preserving the good working conditions that make the railway an attractive career path.
