After reading through all the posts .firstlyou thanks to all the really useful information . There appears to be an abundance of knowledge on here.
I'm just trying to decide on a job offer but there are many variables and not being single one have to think about what's best for my family . The pay of a signaller still confesses me a bit. I get the basic pay scales but it's what extras you receive and when . I currently work shifts and we get a shift allowance on top of our pay and we get this even if we take annual leave ..is this the same with network rail or is it just the Sunday enhancements and night shift pay that you work and nothing when on leave .sorry if this has been asked many times ..I'm just trying to make the best informed decision . Ps have a good weekend everyone
As far as I'm aware most 12hr rosters for a residential location (Not relief) You are guaranteed two Sundays OT per 4 weeks, one night shift and one day. 18 hours paid at 1.5x and 6 hours paid at 1.25x (Monday 00:00 to 06:00). However your rostered Saturday night will also earn you 6 hours at 0.5x for the hours 00:00 to 06:00 which you work Sunday morning. Night premium based on hours worked 22:00 to 06:00 hours is paid at 0.1x your hourly rate.
To put into context with night premium and guaranteed overtime with the Sunday allowances you will earn about £8k extra a year on a grade 2 position - about 34k.
Then you have free days to work - every 12 weeks you have an opportunity to work one as a NR working week is 35 hours and a 12hr rostered week is 36. So the extra hour a week is given back as a day off but where I work they'all offer you to work it as a RDW at 1.25x - overtime for a day you're used to working anyway! Plus any other opportunities due to sick/annual leave and safety briefs where relief are unavailable. Again at 1.25x.
Plus with the amount of annual leave you get if you wanted you could be paid for bank holidays whether you work them or not. If you are not rostered In then it's paid at basic rate. If you do work a BH it'll be 2x or 3x for Xmas Day or Boxing Day.
I don't believe you get any extra allowance for annual leave. Sorry for long post but there's some serious cash to be earned and obviously a lot of opportunity to go to higher grade. As for the job itself - I'm fairly new but have had some horrendous jobs and I love it. You can switch off completely when leaving work, work life balance is excellent and being rostered off for a week each month is amazing. Obviously I don't know what you currently do but I'd recommend it to anyone.