STRIKES on UK railways have cause severe disruption for commuters due to cancellations of a number of services.

Industrial action by the RMT is due to a dispute between the workers, the government and the rail companies. So why are the strikes taking place and how much are rail workers paid? Here's what we know.

How much do rail workers get paid in the UK?

There are many different roles on the railway, with varying levels of pay.

Train drivers

The payment received by a driver depends on the company that they are working for.

The average that a driver is paid in the UK is around £59,000, correct as of 2022.

Train drivers are not represented by the RMT.

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Rail travel assistants

These include ticket collectors, guards and information staff.

According to the Department of transport (DfT), the average pay for these workers is £33,310.

Rail construction and maintenance operatives 

These are the people that maintain and repair tracks.

The average pay for these workers is £34,998 according to DfT.

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Rail transport operatives

These include signallers and drivers assistants.

According to DfT, the average salary for one of these workers is  £48,750.

Cleaners

According to RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, the average railway cleaner earns around £32,000 a year.

This was pointed out due to the fact that over 1000 members of the trade union are cleaners that are not categorised by the office for national statistics (ONS) as rail workers.

What qualifications do you need to become a rail worker?

This is dependant on the role that you are applying for.

To become a train driver, a person applying would either need GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, in English and maths, or by completing an apprenticeship.

Applicants would then receive at least a years worth of training.

Applicants for other roles, such as working in a train station, would require the same standard of GCSE qualifications.

However, successful applicants would be asked to attend an assessment day, where they will be interviewed and tested on their maths, as well as communication and customer service skills.

Why are rail workers striking?

Rail workers are striking due to a dispute with the government and rail companies about pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions.

Unions say that any new pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living.

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