Rail unions accuse Tories of ‘behaving like ostriches’ as they start new strikes

A union chief has accused ministers of behaving like ostriches forward of a contemporary wave of strikes by prepare drivers.

Aslef General Secretary Mick Whelan accused the Government of constructing the long-running pay dispute worse. Rail passengers have been warned of disruption to companies this week as members of Aslef launch a rolling programme of walkouts from Tuesday and ban extra time for 9 days from Monday.

Mr Whelan accused the Government of “crass, ostrich-type behaviour”, including he had not met a Transport Minister for greater than a yr regardless of a sequence of strikes which have triggered journey chaos. He stated Transport Secretary Mark Harper and Transport Minister Huw Merriman had been “not fit for office”, and had given up attempting to resolve the dispute.

Mr Whelan stated: “We are additionally receiving big help from the general public. There is not a family within the nation which hasn’t been affected by strikes over the previous 18 months, so individuals know why we’re making a stand. It is developing for 5 years for a lot of drivers with no pay rise.

“We have entered talks only to be treated with utter contempt and deceit. Crass ostrich-type behaviour by those in government who have no role in our wages or collective bargaining are at the root of all the problems this industry has.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “Aslef’s leadership is refusing to let their members vote on an offer that would see the average train driver’s salary increase to £65,000. The Transport Secretary and rail minister have already facilitated talks that led to this fair and reasonable offer from industry – Aslef bosses should put it to their members so we can resolve the dispute, which has already happened with the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions.”