More misery as rail union chief Mick Whelan threatens 18 more months of strikes until pay demands are met
A RAIL union chief threatened 18 more months of strikes misery yesterday — as commuters were stranded by fresh walkouts.
Aslef boss Mick Whelan vowed train drivers would continue to take industrial action until their pay demands are met “if that’s what it takes”.
He spoke out as the union began a week of walkouts, which will run alongside a nine-day over-time ban that started on Monday.
The strikes were expected to be the first test of the minimum service levels aimed at ensuring operators can run 40 per cent of services, but no train company used the law.
Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Whelan said: “The Government’s own impact assessment said that minimal service levels would inevitably lead to more strikes.”
No10 said it would consider how best to “strengthen” the rules.
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The Department for Transport, meanwhile, said Aslef’s leadership was refusing to let members vote on an offer to up drivers’ average salary to £65,000.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Aslef's leadership is refusing to let their members vote on an offer that would see the average train driver's salary increase to £65,000.
"The Transport Secretary and rail minister have already facilitated talks that led to this fair and reasonable offer from industry - Aslef bosses should put it to their members so we can resolve the dispute, which has already happened with the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions.”