Mind the pay gap... the Scots train driver who earned £95,000 a year
(...and 137 of his colleagues took home £70k)
SCOTLAND’S highest-paid train driver earned a staggering £94,567 last year.
The huge pay packet is disclosed in figures obtained by this newspaper which also indicate 137 ScotRail drivers earned in excess of £70,000 during 2021/22.
Last month ScotRail drivers secured an improved pay deal following industrial action by the union Aslef.
It includes a 5 per cent wage rise and other benefits which mean the basic wage will rise to £55,000 – and some drivers are this year likely to earn in excess of £100,000.
Further rail strike action is still taking place. Aslef members are set to strike again on Saturday in other parts of the UK, with knockon effects expected in Scotland.
ScotRail pay now sees the top-earning train drivers – public sector workers since the operator
‘Buck stops with SNP to deliver for passengers’
was nationalised by the SNP this year – earning £50,000 more than a teacher with five years’ service and three times that of a Police Scotland constable.
The latest ScotRail drivers’ deal, backdated to April 1, includes an excess revenue share scheme, Sunday working allowance up by 10 per cent, an increase in rest-day working payments to £400, and a five-year ban on compulsory redundancies.
The top-earning driver last year earned a basic wage of £51,769 plus a further £42,797 in rest day and Sunday working payments.
One other train driver in Scotland earned more than £90,000, while 27 earned over £80,000.
Rail strikes this year saw travel plans wrecked for thousands attending major events such as the TRNSMT music festival and the Open Golf championship at St Andrews, as well as widespread disruption to commuters.
Further industrial action is planned by rail unions including two days of strikes by the RMT which will decimate Scottish services on August 18 and 20.
Last night Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: ‘Many people will be surprised to hear how much money some ScotRail drivers are bringing home.
‘The huge sums paid out in overtime will also concern them. The SNP have still not resolved the issue of rest-day working, which saw Sunday timetables slashed in half, and seems to be almost doubling some drivers’ salaries. This is no way to run our railways.’
He added: ‘The SNP now have full control over our railways and the buck stops with them to ensure ScotRail delivers for passengers and taxpayers alike.’
David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said: ‘Train drivers are highly skilled individuals, and pay needs to be set at fair market rates to attract and retain the best talent to do the job.
‘Drivers’ salaries are in line with market rates for the skillset and high level of responsibility required for the role.’
He added: ‘We recognise that, as part of the public sector, we must ensure pay is fair and provides value for taxpayers.’