Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi slams heartless rail unions for striking during kids’ exams
NADHIM Zahawi last night blasted heartless unions for hammering kids' life chances by staging crippling strikes in the middle of exams.
Ministers are planning to rush through new laws to stop militant rail unions bringing the country to a standstill.
But they have privately admitted the crackdown will be too late to stop the RMT’s massive train strikes later this month — the biggest in 33 years.
And in yet another blow to millions of commuters, a second union joined the rail strike on June 21.
Mr Zahawi, the Education Secretary, told The Sun: “Kids have been exceptionally resilient these last few years and are bouncing back with the help of our tutoring programme and amazing schools.
“It would be such a crying shame if the trade unions were to prevent young people getting back on track just to suit their political ends.”
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The RMT will bring misery to millions by staging a three day walkout on June 21, 23 and 25.
Over 50,000 railway drivers, staff and signalmen will down tools.
It will land slap bang in the middle of Glastonbury, GCSE exam season and the busy summer sports calendar.
Unite the Union have vowed to stick the boot in by staging a London Tube walkout on June 21 too.
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The Tory election manifesto promises to change the law to force railway workers to have to run a minimum service even during strikes.
After failing to bring forward the law over the past two and a half years ministers are now hoping to rush it through Parliament at lightning speed.
It could be on the statute books within months, a government source told The Sun.
Boris Johnson yesterday slammed the RMT’s “reckless” strike.
Gloating RMT boss Mick Lynch — who earns a whopping £124,000 a year in pay and benefits, said: “We don't want disruption for anyone and I apologise for that.
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“We don't follow the comings and goings of Glastonbury or pop concerts. There is never a good time for railway dispute.
“I want the economy to be sound. But we can't passively sit around while our members become poorer and are under the threat of losing their jobs.”