London Underground - CSA1 & CSA2 (2022 & 2023 applications)

[TFLtalk]

I have received an email few moments ago confirming that I haven’t cleared the final stage of assessment.

For everyone who’s yet to receive their results, wish you all good luck.

Sorry to hear this. You will definitely get it next time.

 

[J4YWG]

Who fails at the assessments? Well... me I really can't understand where I'm failing

 

[Kreddy]

Who fails at the assessments? Well... me I really can't understand where I'm failing

Did you get your result today?

 

[J4YWG]

Did you get your result today?

Yes but this was only the first stage to make it worse

 

[Kreddy]

Yes but this was only the first stage to make it worse

Hey, don’t get disheartened. Just not our day. I haven’t gotten through too.

 

[izu]

hey there can I please get some help regarding the 2 stage


I have my test for class rom test this month was it easy test or I have to study it ?

Hello Majiira, please can a I get a review of the questions

 

[moonie95]

Got a conditional start date confirmed for training for 15th April.
Subject to successful background checks, reference and medical.
I’ve gotten confirmation from REED that I’ve passed the referencing and CRB. Only awaiting the booking of medical.

 

[San.]

So got my contract, just wonder for those that have already received theirs, did it say 30k or 33k.

Mines on 30k but from what I heard it has/should have risen to 33k

 

[Mightyhammer]

So got my contract, just wonder for those that have already received theirs, did it say 30k or 33k.

Mines on 30k but from what I heard it has/should have risen to 33k

I signed my contract on Monday and it stated £30k. I know the salary is increasing but I don’t know the date that it increases.

 

[bluegoblin7]

The salary will remain £30k until at least 1st May, which is the expected implementation of the 2023 pay deal. If you start service prior to this date, you should receive back pay to the appropriate amount; if you start after the 21st April I would expect the back pay to be applied to the second May pay date, 29th May.

Another increase will likely follow in the near future, with the 2024 pay talks commencing imminently. This is to take effect from 1st April 2024, so there will be another round of back pay once it is agreed.

As ever, training salary is 80% of the full amount, so adjust as necessary.

P.S. I'm around Ashfield House when some of you have start dates doing some service control-y bits. By all means say Hi if you spot me (look for the pink hair).

 

[Mightyhammer]

The salary will remain £30k until at least 1st May, which is the expected implementation of the 2023 pay deal. If you start service prior to this date, you should receive back pay to the appropriate amount; if you start after the 21st April I would expect the back pay to be applied to the second May pay date, 29th May.

Another increase will likely follow in the near future, with the 2024 pay talks commencing imminently. This is to take effect from 1st April 2024, so there will be another round of back pay once it is agreed.

As ever, training salary is 80% of the full amount, so adjust as necessary.

P.S. I'm around Ashfield House when some of you have start dates doing some service control-y bits. By all means say Hi if you spot me (look for the pink hair).

Thank you for the info! I’ll definitely say Hi if I see you.

 

[danyjac]

Below is what I saw in 2021 forum. Is it still applicable in 2024?

"23 Jul 2022
#558
Londonkens
Member
I think some of this info has already been mentioned but I’ll say it anyway.

Training is 5 days at Ashfield house - on the first day you will be given a brand new iPad with a case and protective cover as well as your staff oyster pass. You will also be given lots of workbooks to read through.

Make sure on day one when you get home you go through and focus on the fire book in absolute detail as the following day you will be tested on it with 25 questions, pass mark is 80% for all tests. The trainer is really good as on the day you will have a chance to ask lots more questions based on the test and a lot of the answers will be given throughout the day without even realising.

Questions are all multiple choice so read them carefully as some look like they are the right answer but actually they are throwing you off.

On the iPad you will also be required to complete a ticket machine test and another few modules on the E zone which is on the iPad, there are about 15 modules/courses to complete. Make sure you do them all before the end of the week in your own time. They are all very easy.

On the following Monday you’ll do a first aid course which again is tested with multiple choice questions, really straight forward and I’m sure you will all pass.

Most of the training days are not full days, you will start 9am and sometimes leave at 3pm or even earlier which is good as this gives you more time at home to learn the modules on the Ezone.

There will be a few sales people arriving while your doing training to persuade you to sign up to dental insurance companies and life insurance companies as well as the unions RMT and TSSA, (go with RMT) if you do choose a union but of course it’s up to you who you ultimately choose, I also signed up for the dental insurance and life insurance which all automatically come out of your pay, these are really amazing benefits so read the small print and decide accordingly what best suits you.

Most important one is joining the unions so make the right choice.

The Tuesday, the day after the first aid training you will be shadowing someone after you’ve done your familiarisation at your station. The area you will be given will likely be over established so you’ll won’t be in that particular area for your TFL CSA career.

Ask lots of questions when you shadow as depending on the location you’ll be given you’ll be working independently most of the time.

There will be lots of TFL jargon to get used to but I tend to make notes of all the abbreviations in my phone - a lot of the abbreviations are in the books they provide you with on day one. Try and memorise your employee number and various other passwords you need to set up on on day one.

Your iPad will be your 3rd arm so use that as much as you can if you get confused with customers.

You’ll be given a massive box and I mean massive to take home with you I believe on day one or two, that will be your uniform which most people had to swap out for different sizes with the lady in Angel who deals with uniform, so I’d advise if you are travelling far to get to Ashfield house to bring a small suitcase with you as the box is extremely heavy, this is something I wish someone warned me about so I’m warning you now LOL.


They will tell you this anyway but there are a lot of fare evaders, if people decide to barge through the gates (mainly the wag) let them do it. We aren’t paid to do the job of the revenue inspector team.

Wages will be paid every 4 weeks and it’s always on a Wednesday. CSA2’s starting salary is now £30,381 the first month will be slightly less as you are paid at an 80% rate due to the training but the following month you will get the full amount so don’t be disappointed when you see your very first pay.
I know that’s a lot of info but I hope it helps.

All the best to everyone for your TFL careers."

Hi, that was very informative but could you please clarify if we will be paid during the 4 weeks training period? Also, is the training happening at Ashfield house for everyone?
Thanks in advance

The salary will remain £30k until at least 1st May, which is the expected implementation of the 2023 pay deal. If you start service prior to this date, you should receive back pay to the appropriate amount; if you start after the 21st April I would expect the back pay to be applied to the second May pay date, 29th May.

Another increase will likely follow in the near future, with the 2024 pay talks commencing imminently. This is to take effect from 1st April 2024, so there will be another round of back pay once it is agreed.

As ever, training salary is 80% of the full amount, so adjust as necessary.

P.S. I'm around Ashfield House when some of you have start dates doing some service control-y bits. By all means say Hi if you spot me (look for the pink hair).

Hi, could you please tell me how long after the training can we expect to start the job. I just wanted to know when I should give notice to my current employer. Just to give a lil background, I received my conditional offer letter today so I would need to complete my onboarding docs and book the training. Thanks in advance

 

[sdpo15]

Hi, that was very informative but could you please clarify if we will be paid during the 4 weeks training period? Also, is the training happening at Ashfield house for everyone?
Thanks in advance


Hi, could you please tell me how long after the training can we expect to start the job. I just wanted to know when I should give notice to my current employer. Just to give a lil background, I received my conditional offer letter today so I would need to complete my onboarding docs and book the training. Thanks in advance

I can only answer the first part - training is 80% of salary pay.
Training, as far as I’m aware, is based at Ashfield for everyone. 4 week training period though there is a week or two (at the end) shadowing at stations

 

[bluegoblin7]

Hi, could you please tell me how long after the training can we expect to start the job. I just wanted to know when I should give notice to my current employer. Just to give a lil background, I received my conditional offer letter today so I would need to complete my onboarding docs and book the training. Thanks in advance

You start the job at the commencement of training, so your notice needs to end before day one.

As mentioned elsewhere on this thread, provided that you apply yourself for the four weeks in the classroom it is relatively straight forward. It is possible to fail, but unusual.

Once the classroom-based training is completed you will transition immediately into location training at your station(s), which is very much ‘on the job’.

As mentioned by others, you will be paid 80% of the advertised salary on a pro-rata basis, which is paid four weekly on a Wednesday. The next pay date for operational staff is 3rd April if it helps to plan things out. Training is primarily at Ashfield House but will be out and about at a variety of locations for practical experience, before moving to your ‘regular’ location(s). As stated in the advert, you can be required to work anywhere on the network so if this is a problem it is worth thinking of the job is for you - once you get your location it is likely you’ll be tied in there for at least 12 months. It is possible to swap amongst people on your course, but obviously there’s no guarantees that there will be anything ‘perfect’ for you.

As someone who went through this process 10 years ago now, though, I can definitely say that there is no looking back. ☺️

 

[danyjac]

You start the job at the commencement of training, so your notice needs to end before day one.

As mentioned elsewhere on this thread, provided that you apply yourself for the four weeks in the classroom it is relatively straight forward. It is possible to fail, but unusual.

Once the classroom-based training is completed you will transition immediately into location training at your station(s), which is very much ‘on the job’.

As mentioned by others, you will be paid 80% of the advertised salary on a pro-rata basis, which is paid four weekly on a Wednesday. The next pay date for operational staff is 3rd April if it helps to plan things out. Training is primarily at Ashfield House but will be out and about at a variety of locations for practical experience, before moving to your ‘regular’ location(s). As stated in the advert, you can be required to work anywhere on the network so if this is a problem it is worth thinking of the job is for you - once you get your location it is likely you’ll be tied in there for at least 12 months. It is possible to swap amongst people on your course, but obviously there’s no guarantees that there will be anything ‘perfect’ for you.

As someone who went through this process 10 years ago now, though, I can definitely say that there is no looking back. ☺️

Thank you so much for the response. It helps clear out a lot of things. Can I also ask what the conditions are for taking holidays after you join. I am asking this because the offer letter says u can have only a week of holiday btw 6 months to a year.

Also, do we get a choice on which stations we are assigned as I would probably have to relocate.

Thanks in advance

I can only answer the first part - training is 80% of salary pay.
Training, as far as I’m aware, is based at Ashfield for everyone. 4 week training period though there is a week or two (at the end) shadowing at stations

Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[Shezu]

Yeah it’s true, my April pay on the 3rd will reflect this

How was your second week of training? Was it still half day training or full 9-5?

 

[moonie95]

Hi, that was very informative but could you please clarify if we will be paid during the 4 weeks training period? Also, is the training happening at Ashfield house for everyone?
Thanks in advance


Hi, could you please tell me how long after the training can we expect to start the job. I just wanted to know when I should give notice to my current employer. Just to give a lil background, I received my conditional offer letter today so I would need to complete my onboarding docs and book the training. Thanks in advance

When do you have your start date booked for?

 

[danyjac]

When do you have your start date booked for?

I have sent all onboarding documents just today. So, I have not received a confirmed start date yet.

 

[Mawkie]

Also, do we get a choice on which stations we are assigned as I would probably have to relocate.

You get allocated a station group, but as @bluegoblin7 said, you have the opportunity to swap stations with other people within your training group at the time you are all informed.

(So for example someone living in Hounslow and being allocated Stratford, could swap with someone living in East Ham and being allocated Heathrow.)

For a list of station groups see this list from a TfL FOI and scroll along the tabs to Station Groups.

 

[winks]

U

Correct. £33,300 you can thank the RMT for that 9.6% increase.

A very nice salary for most people. Is that excluding any shift payments / allowances and O/T?

 

[danyjac]

You get allocated a station group, but as @bluegoblin7 said, you have the opportunity to swap stations with other people within your training group at the time you are all informed.

(So for example someone living in Hounslow and being allocated Stratford, could swap with someone living in East Ham and being allocated Heathrow.)

For a list of station groups see this list from a TfL FOI and scroll along the tabs to Station Groups.

Thank you for sharing the files. Can you give an idea of how many per week we would be required to work and the shift patterns? Do we get a preference in getting shift timings. Thanks in advance.

 

[eastldn12]

How was your second week of training? Was it still half day training or full 9-5?

Second week was even more intense than the first week, you have to do ticketing, rules and regulations, lifts and escalators, marauding terrorists, signals, SATS (which is practical at a station) and then finally level 3 first aid

U

A very nice salary for most people. Is that excluding any shift payments / allowances and O/T?

You start as CSA2 pay until 6 month probation and you nominate your csa1 station, but any CSA1 work you do over 2 hours you have to make sure you get paid for it

Yes but this was only the first stage to make it worse

To be fair, I got told by the trainers at Ashfield that the pass rate of the new assessment was 30%, they made it harder because the old CSAs weren’t up to standard so TFL fired a lot of them but RMT wasn’t happy about it so they had to hire loads more new CSAs but made the hiring process way harder

So got my contract, just wonder for those that have already received theirs, did it say 30k or 33k.

Mines on 30k but from what I heard it has/should have risen to 33k

Contract will say 30k, training salary is 80% which is roughly 28k, new wage of 33k is effective as of April so you’ll most likely get the new pay if you pass training after April

 

[moonie95]

Second week was even more intense than the first week, you have to do ticketing, rules and regulations, lifts and escalators, marauding terrorists, signals, SATS (which is practical at a station) and then finally level 3 first aid


You start as CSA2 pay until 6 month probation and you nominate your csa1 station, but any CSA1 work you do over 2 hours you have to make sure you get paid for it


To be fair, I got told by the trainers at Ashfield that the pass rate of the new assessment was 30%, they made it harder because the old CSAs weren’t up to standard so TFL fired a lot of them but RMT wasn’t happy about it so they had to hire loads more new CSAs but made the hiring process way harder


Contract will say 30k, training salary is 80% which is roughly 28k, new wage of 33k is effective as of April so you’ll most likely get the new pay if you pass training after April

This is very helpful

How long before your training start date did you receive your contract, I received an email regarding a start date in a months time but no contract was sent.

 

[Shezu]

Second week was even more intense than the first week, you have to do ticketing, rules and regulations, lifts and escalators, marauding terrorists, signals, SATS (which is practical at a station) and then finally level 3 first aid

Wow, seems interesting, so they are giving us CSA 1 training as well. Does that mean we will have the opportunity to move to CSA 1 if we qualify soon?

This is very helpful

How long before your training start date did you receive your contract, I received an email regarding a start date in a months time but no contract was sent.

I got my contract last Friday but with the condition that I pass the medical

 

[bluegoblin7]

Thank you for sharing the files. Can you give an idea of how many per week we would be required to work and the shift patterns? Do we get a preference in getting shift timings. Thanks in advance.

You’ll average a 35 hour week with usually 5 or 6 day maximum runs at a time, but this does vary from location to location and it would be prohibitive to list all of them. You do not get to preference your shifts although as ever you may be able to swap with colleagues. You will generally be on a fixed roster so you will know all of your shifts and rest days indefinitely, aside from cover weeks where you can be utilised as required to cover any station on your area or adjacent areas. You’ll get notice of these shifts 28 days in advance.

Generally you’ll be at the same location each week but you can be moved from one to another as business needs required. You won’t work outside your area (or adjacent areas on cover weeks) and there are strict policies in place to police this (“the Framework Agreement”).

One thing I will say, that is applicable to everyone:

A job with TfL (as with most operational railway jobs) is a lifestyle choice. The salary is excellent as are many of the benefits, but the shift work can be challenging and there is a lot more structure and rigidity than many non-railway shift jobs. Personally, working for LUL has been incredibly rewarding and successful for me, but it absolutely won’t be for everyone. Think carefully if you’re not able to work at any location in London from day 1 - this is very clearly started on the application for a reason.

You start as CSA2 pay until 6 month probation and you nominate your csa1 station, but any CSA1 work you do over 2 hours you have to make sure you get paid for it

Wow, seems interesting, so they are giving us CSA 1 training as well. Does that mean we will have the opportunity to move to CSA 1 if we qualify soon?

Standard practice is now to put everyone through CSA1 training if there is time, with all CSA2s being offered CSA1 contracts after 12 months. This may not be at your current location, however, and you will generally have to accept the role when offered if you want the substantive position, and then nominate back to a different station/area.

You can claim ‘higher grade working’ if you are licensed as a CSA1 and work either overtime or ‘cover up’ as part of your normal duties. You’ll get more advice on this once you reach your location.

To be fair, I got told by the trainers at Ashfield that the pass rate of the new assessment was 30%, they made it harder because the old CSAs weren’t up to standard so TFL fired a lot of them but RMT wasn’t happy about it so they had to hire loads more new CSAs but made the hiring process way harder

A work of fiction.

Contract will say 30k, training salary is 80% which is roughly 28k, new wage of 33k is effective as of April so you’ll most likely get the new pay if you pass training after April

Incorrect, the new salary will not be implemented until at least 1st May for all staff. The pay deal is effective as of April 2023. As I mentioned up thread, those joining before week ending April 20th should see this increase from 1st May (backdated as necessary); those joining after will see it from 29th May (probably their first pay date due to when payroll runs).

A very nice salary for most people. Is that excluding any shift payments / allowances and O/T?

Yes, this is basic salary inclusive of all “allowances” etc. which in part accounts for why it can seem ‘inflated’ - most LU roles are inclusive of LLW, night shift premiums where applicable etc. OT is obviously paid on top of this at a fixed hourly rate, but that is a personal choice. There are strict rules around how much OT can be worked.

It is worth noting that LU pay on a four weekly cycle (so 13 times a year), and there will of course also be deductions for things like student loans and the pension fund where necessary.

 

[eastldn12]

This is very helpful

How long before your training start date did you receive your contract, I received an email regarding a start date in a months time but no contract was sent.

About 2 weeks before my start date

You’ll average a 35 hour week with usually 5 or 6 day maximum runs at a time, but this does vary from location to location and it would be prohibitive to list all of them. You do not get to preference your shifts although as ever you may be able to swap with colleagues. You will generally be on a fixed roster so you will know all of your shifts and rest days indefinitely, aside from cover weeks where you can be utilised as required to cover any station on your area or adjacent areas. You’ll get notice of these shifts 28 days in advance.

Generally you’ll be at the same location each week but you can be moved from one to another as business needs required. You won’t work outside your area (or adjacent areas on cover weeks) and there are strict policies in place to police this (“the Framework Agreement”).

One thing I will say, that is applicable to everyone:

A job with TfL (as with most operational railway jobs) is a lifestyle choice. The salary is excellent as are many of the benefits, but the shift work can be challenging and there is a lot more structure and rigidity than many non-railway shift jobs. Personally, working for LUL has been incredibly rewarding and successful for me, but it absolutely won’t be for everyone. Think carefully if you’re not able to work at any location in London from day 1 - this is very clearly started on the application for a reason.



Standard practice is now to put everyone through CSA1 training if there is time, with all CSA2s being offered CSA1 contracts after 12 months. This may not be at your current location, however, and you will generally have to accept the role when offered if you want the substantive position, and then nominate back to a different station/area.

You can claim ‘higher grade working’ if you are licensed as a CSA1 and work either overtime or ‘cover up’ as part of your normal duties. You’ll get more advice on this once you reach your location.


A work of fiction.


Incorrect, the new salary will not be implemented until at least 1st May for all staff. The pay deal is effective as of April 2023. As I mentioned up thread, those joining before week ending April 20th should see this increase from 1st May (backdated as necessary); those joining after will see it from 29th May (probably their first pay date due to when payroll runs).


Yes, this is basic salary inclusive of all “allowances” etc. which in part accounts for why it can seem ‘inflated’ - most LU roles are inclusive of LLW, night shift premiums where applicable etc. OT is obviously paid on top of this at a fixed hourly rate, but that is a personal choice. There are strict rules around how much OT can be worked.

It is worth noting that LU pay on a four weekly cycle (so 13 times a year), and there will of course also be deductions for things like student loans and the pension fund where necessary.

It’s effective the April pay date on the 3rd, my trainers and others at Ashfield confirmed it to me, then we get paid twice in May

Wow, seems interesting, so they are giving us CSA 1 training as well. Does that mean we will have the opportunity to move to CSA 1 if we qualify soon?


I got my contract last Friday but with the condition that I pass the medical

Yeah you’re first week is CSA2, then you’re trained as CSA1 unless you have anything medically or other prohibiting you from doing so

 

[bluegoblin7]

It’s effective the April pay date on the 3rd, my trainers and others at Ashfield confirmed it to me, then we get paid twice in May

I’m not going to argue on an open forum, but it isn’t. I was sat in the pay negotiations and as a senior RMT representative it’s very much my job to be across things like pay implementation dates to be able to provide advice just like this.

For operational grades the 2023 pay claim should be implemented by 1st May 2024.

 

[eastldn12]

I’m not going to argue on an open forum, but it isn’t. I was sat in the pay negotiations and as a senior RMT representative it’s very much my job to be across things like pay implementation dates to be able to provide advice just like this.

For operational grades the 2023 pay claim should be implemented by 1st May 2024.

Well you know better than me, I’m only going off what the union rep and my trainers said

 

[Mawkie]

Thank you for sharing the files. Can you give an idea of how many per week we would be required to work and the shift patterns? Do we get a preference in getting shift timings. Thanks in advance.

I'm happy to share files that have come from a FOI request, as I know they have been suitably redacted by LU.

With that in mind... Here are the shift patterns for numerous stations.

If I extract an example of King's Cross (attached), and you go to page 4 you will see the roster for CSA2.

It looks complex if you're not used to shift work, but it's fairly simple to understand. You will be allocated a roster line, but if you imagine you start at Week 1, that is Sunday/ Monday rest days and then 'Dead Lates'.

You then simply drop down to Week 2, and find that you'll be doing 'Lates' (finishing around 2200hrs), with split rest days which facilitates a weekend off (end of Week 2/beginning of Week 3).

Week 3 looks a bit tiring tbh, 'Lates', 'Middles' and 'Earlies' all in a single week! And so on. This roster allows you to plan your life around it as it rarely changes.

Cover weeks have been covered by another post.

Lastly, and only for extra info, the Schematic at KX gives a better understanding of the tasks each grade should be doing and where they'll be working at any given time. You can have a look, but it's not something worth going into here I don't think. (The quality will be much better on the actual pdf from the FOI)

 

[eastldn12]

I'm happy to share files that have come from a FOI request, as I know they have been suitably redacted by LU.

With that in mind... Here are the shift patterns for numerous stations.

If I extract an example of King's Cross (attached), and you go to page 4 you will see the roster for CSA2.View attachment 154354

It looks complex if you're not used to shift work, but it's fairly simple to understand. You will be allocated a roster line, but if you imagine you start at Week 1, that is Sunday/ Monday rest days and then 'Dead Lates'.

You then simply drop down to Week 2, and find that you'll be doing 'Lates' (finishing around 2200hrs), with split rest days which facilitates a weekend off (end of Week 2/beginning of Week 3).

Week 3 looks a bit tiring tbh, 'Lates', 'Middles' and 'Earlies' all in a single week! And so on. This roster allows you to plan your life around it as it rarely changes.

Cover weeks have been covered by another post.

Lastly, and only for extra info, the Schematic at KX gives a better understanding of the tasks each grade should be doing and where they'll be working at any given time. You can have a look, but it's not something worth going into here I don't think. (The quality will be much better on the actual pdf from the FOI)
View attachment 154357

You know unless specified otherwise and whilst it’s still accessible on share point this stuff is confidential