Shapps attacks train drivers’ strike vote: ‘As PM I would stand up to unions’
Transport secretary blames ‘Unions linked to Labour’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Grant Shapps has sought to bolster his campaign to become prime minister with a tweet condemning strike votes by train drivers.
After members of the Aslef union working for eight train operators voted overwhelming to stop work in a pay dispute, the transport secretary tweeted: “Unions linked to Labour have announced train driver strikes.
“On a salary of almost £60,000, it isn’t fair for train drivers to hurt those on lower wages with more walk-outs.
“As prime minister, I would stand up to the unions and make it harder to hold our country to ransom.”
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said: “We don’t think we’re special; we believe no worker in this country should put up with pay cuts year after year just because this government has allowed inflation to rise.
“Whatever happened to the Tory wish for good, well-paid, jobs? Obviously that’s only for the CEOs, not for the workers doing the job.
“And, don’t forget, if a train driver doesn’t get a cost of living increase, it won’t mean that a nurse, or care worker, or cleaner will get one. This isn’t – or shouldn’t be – about setting one worker against another.
“We’re happy to talk to anyone to do a deal and make sure Britain’s railways aren’t disrupted. The government is restricting what the operators can offer, but then refusing to get involved in negotiation.
Mr Shapps maintains that the pay disputes across the rail industry are a matter for the unions, train operators and Network Rail to settle.
Last month, members of the RMT union brought most trains in Great Britain to a halt with the first national rail strikes for three decades.
A skeleton service operated on about half the network.
The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “Grant Shapps needs to stop messing around with his doomed Tory leadership bid and get back to focusing on resolving this dispute.”
The 2019 Conservative manifesto for the general election promised: “We will require that a minimum service operates during transport strikes.”
Nearly three years on, the government says it is working on the required legislation.
During the referendum campaign on membership of the European Union in 2016, Aslef and the RMT campaigned to leave alongside Brexiteer MPs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments