TfL: Bonus scheme slammed as ‘plainly unfair’ by union as lowest-paid staff excluded

Transport for London’s (TfL) bonus scheme has been slammed as “plainly unfair” by a transport union, due to lower-paid staff being excluded from receiving bumps to their income.

The pay increases were approved by the TfL Board earlier this year, due to the transport authority surpassing targets set against metrics such as customer journey times and finances. For 2022/23, an overall result of 64% was achieved, against a target of 60%.

According to the union TSSA, which represents workers in transport and travel, expected bonuses for chief officers could be up to 30%, and directors up to 20%.

LondonWorld recently reported that TfL’s commissioner, Andy Lord, received a £40,000 pay-rise after being made permanent, having taken on the temporary role in October following the departure of Andy Byford.

TSSA has now accused the bonus scheme of being “plainly unfair”, claiming Band 1 staff, whose pay ranges from £22,500 to £31,750 and include roles in call centres and administrative positions, are being excluded from the ‘Pay for Performance’ scheme.

A TfL spokesperson said Band 1 employees receive a package which “compares competitively with the external market”, and that the organisation focuses on developmental opportunities to support staff progression. They confirmed the union’s claim that Band 1 staff will receive no award bonuses, despite bumps going to employees in bands two, three, four and five.

TSSA organising director Mel Taylor said: “Andy Lord’s already pocketed a £40,000 pay rise this year, just for being made permanent in his post. Now he’s in line for a massive bonus. Meanwhile someone at the bottom of the Band 1 payscale - on the London Living Wage - will get nothing at all. That’s plainly unfair.

“Staff at the top of the payscale in Band 1 haven’t had a proper consolidated pay rise in years, just a lump sum. The real terms value of their salaries has dropped by over 20% in many cases. Finding out that TfL’s highest earners will be pocketing a substantial pay bonus on top of a pay rise for the last two years is just adding insult to injury. Instead of dishing out bonuses to the highest paid, TfL needs to get round the table with us and negotiate fair consolidated pay rises for everyone.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “In a highly competitive market, it is essential that we continue to attract and retain staff across all disciplines of the organisation to ensure that TfL can continue keeping London moving and can keep delivering improvements that support new opportunities, jobs, homes and economic growth.

“Employees who are on pay Band 1 receive a total remuneration package that compares competitively with the external market. By focusing on building development opportunities, we work hard to ensure all our staff have the chance to progress within the organisation, whilst always receiving competitive and fair pay, whatever their grade.”

London’s transport network has been gripped by strikes over the last year, with members of unions including RMT and Aslef staging days of walkouts.

Aslef members working for Avanti West Coast recently announced they will take action for a further day, July 2, over changes to sick pay.