The Minister of Transport called the railway union’s decision to strike during the Eurovision Song Contest “cynical” and urged them to show solidarity with Ukraine.
Members of the National Union of Railway, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced the start of a strike on May 13, the day of the Eurovision Song Contest final, after rejecting the latest wage agreement for railway operators.
The UK is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest this year in Liverpool, although it came second last year because the winner, Ukraine, cannot host it due to the ongoing war with Russia.
opposing sky news‘ Sophie Ridge SundayTransport Minister Mark Harper said it was “unhealthy” for RMT to target competition.
“I met with the head of the Ukrainian Railways. The railways of Ukraine were specifically attacked by Vladimir Putin, and many employees died there,” he said.
“Honestly, I would have thought that instead of focusing on Eurovision, which, if you remember, is not our song contest, I would have thought that the workers would show solidarity with them, but we are doing this for Ukraine. .”
He criticized railway unions for “cynically targeting events that hard-working men and women across the country spend their money on attending” after union Asle on June 3, the day of the FA Cup final, and Epsom, Derby also went on strike.
Mr. Harper said the latest salary offer for railroad workers was “fair and reasonable” and that it was “inexplicable” that the RMT rejected the offer without presenting it to its members. He said that, in his opinion, “its members will accept a collective agreement.”
Aslef announced strikes on Friday, May 12, Wednesday, May 31, and Saturday, June 3, while RMT announced measures for Saturday, May 13 against 14 rail operators.
The director of RMT discussed a new proposal from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents companies that have already settled a tariff dispute with Network Rail.
RMT said in a statement: “Following further discussions between the union and RDG, the employer has provided an explanation for the proposal that RMT is considering.
“The RDG now says they will only impose a 5 percent first year pay if the union ends its labor mandate, meaning no further strikes can be held.
“Negotiations in the second phase, which are part of the employer’s proposal, should begin without any union influence on the industry at the negotiating table.”
The union also said its members would be re-elected to extend the strike mandate for another six months.
Aslef’s decision to go on another strike followed the union’s rejection of wage offers from 16 railway companies.
General Secretary Mick Whelan said the Executive Committee rejected “a risky proposal we received from a pressure group representing some railroad companies.”
He added: “The offer – just 4 percent – clearly should not be accepted, given that inflation is still above 10 percent, and our employees at these companies have not received a raise for four years.”
Source: I News
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