LABOUR has sent a “dangerous signal” to unions they will get bumper pay rises with no need to improve services, MPs warn.
A top Tory said the new Government’s actions show they are using taxpayers’ wallets like a cash machine for the unions.
MPs warn Labour has sent a ‘dangerous signal’ to unions they will get bumper pay rises with no need to improve services, above RMT boss Mick Lynch[/caption]
Ministers have just agreed to a 15 per cent pay deal for striking train drivers — meaning the average salary soars to around £69,000.
But 48 hours after the offer, Aslef announced a fresh strike on LNER trains over a separate dispute involving issues such as roster agreements.
Now firebrand RMT boss Mick Lynch is demanding the same for rail workers — threatening “problems” if ministers do not agree.
A new report by right-wing think tank Policy Exchange says Labour must train 2,000 new train drivers a year to break the union stranglehold.
But in addition to train drivers, Heathrow airport’s Border Force guards have announced they will walk out at the end of the month and GPs are set to push for more dosh.
Richard Fuller, interim chairman of the Tory Party, says when Labour runs out of cash they will just hike taxes.
Writing in today’s Sun on Sunday, the MP for North Bedfordshire said: “This government is willing to send the dangerous signal to unions there’s no need for productivity, no need for reform.
“Labour’s actions show they are more than willing to treat the taxpayers’ wallet as an ATM for their union allies.”
He said unions are now in an “arms race” to squeeze the government for ever larger payouts by threatening strikes.
It comes as a new report reveals Labour must train 2,000 new train drivers a year to break the union stranglehold.
Research by think tank Policy Exchange claims the driver shortage allows unions to hold the country to ransom by using the threat of overtime bans to cause delays and cancellations.
Lara Brown, Senior Research Fellow, said: “For too long, trade union power has been strengthened by a shortage of train drivers.
“The Government’s generous settlement with Aslef demonstrates how difficult it is to negotiate with a Union able to threaten overtime bans and disrupt the service for weeks.
“The mass recruitment of 2,000 drivers a year is the only way to end the use of overtime bans as a negotiation tactic and get Britain moving.”
A Labour spokesman said: “The inheritance the Conservative’s left us with was a £22 billion black hole in the public finances which they covered up from the British people.
“Public debt over 30 per cent higher than in 2010 compared to GDP – the highest debt levels since the 1960s. And a decade of economic stagnation leaving British people £4,000 worse off in 2023 than they would have been.
“As a responsible government, we will take the tough decisions needed to fix the foundations of our economy, so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of our country better off.”
