Labour has been accused of favouring train drivers over pensioners, as tens of thousands more rail workers are set to get above-inflation pay rises.
The Government’s pay offer, which is to be voted on by the Aslef union, would include a backdated five per cent increase for 2019 to 2022, 4.75 per cent for 2022 to 2024 and a further 4.5 per cent for 2024 to 2025, is a “good deal for the taxpayer” because it would end strikes, a Treasury minister said this week.
However, GB News’ Emily Carver today questioned whether the pay offer was fair, given the Chancellor’s decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment.
It means millions of pensioners will no longer be eligible for extra support this winter, which would have been worth up to £300.
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“The Government seems to think that offering these generous pay offers to train drivers, to junior doctors, to public sector workers in general, is going to completely resolve the issue of industrialisation – there won’t be any more strikes,” Emily Carver said today.
Fellow GB News presenter Darren Grimes added: “The old adage, ‘Give them an inch, they’ll take a mile’ has never been more relevant right now.
“I just got off a train this morning, and they’re saying now on a Saturday and Sunday they’re going to be off on strike again over an issue unrelated to pay – over workers’ rights and all these other issues.
“I’m sorry, but there’s just going to be a never-ending list of demands because once you cave in, they realise you can get more, and they do it again and again.
“There are people in this country struggling a hell of a lot more than train drivers on £60,000, soon to be nearly £70,000. It isn’t a bad pay packet, is it?”
Emily added: “With the Winter Fuel Allowance being taken away from millions of pensioners, have the Government got their priorities right?
“A lot of you will think, you know what, junior doctors and nurses should be paid more. But train drivers seem to be the most militant unions, and they seem to always get their own way. Is it right that the Government have caved in?”
Emily went on to ask whether the Government will find the money to pay for the pay rises.
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Today, Aslef announced that LNER drivers will strike every weekend for the next three months, claiming a breakdown in industrial relations and breaking of agreements.
Hundreds of members of Aslef will walk out every Saturday between August 31 and November 9 and every Sunday from September 1 to November 10, a total of 22 days.
GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope said: “It does lead you to think that maybe we’re going to see industrial unrest.”