STRIKE FEARS
Striking train drivers win bumper pay rise sparking fears of fresh demands from unions
The deal with Labour ministers follows two years of misery for passengers
THE 14 per cent pay deal for striking train drivers has sparked fears of fresh demands from other public sector unions.
Labour ministers agreed to the hike in a bid to end two years of crippling stoppages.
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They began direct talks with the Aslef union last month.
Despite earning an average £65,000, the three-year deal would see drivers get a five per cent rise for 2022/23, 4.75 per cent this year and 4.5 per cent next year.
The offer, which is not conditional on any changes to working practices, will be put to Aslef members with guidance from chiefs to vote in favour.
Strikes have cost railway firms £850million in revenue — and the wider economy has lost £1billion.
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Transport Secretary Louise Haigh insisted the deal showed Labour is “putting passengers first”.
She said: “When I took this job, I said I wanted to move fast and fix things.”
Aslef boss Mick Whelan said: “The offer is a fair offer.”
Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whately said: “Labour has caved. Ditching working-practice reforms leaves a hole in finances that can only be filled by higher fares or higher taxes.”
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