-breakingnewsenglish.com
The British public have expressed their anger over an announcement
that drivers of London’s underground trains will soon be on £50,000
($86,000) a year. Union bosses, however, were delighted their members
have such a good offer from the railway bosses. A new four-year deal was
struck between London Underground and the unions that will see all
18,500 Tube workers get a five per cent pay rise this year, which is
double the national average. Rail bosses were accused of giving in to
blackmail ahead of the London Olympics in 2012. Critics claim London
Underground is willing to pay almost anything to avoid the threat of
strikes and disruption. Rail unions said there was no need for strikes
in the coming years.
Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT rail union, told his members: “I
doubt you will find a better offer than this anywhere else in the public
sector.” In addition to the increased salary, Tube workers will receive
a minimum of 29 days holiday, free travel within London for themselves
and one family member and discounts on travel within Britain and the
Eurostar trains to Europe. Emma Boon of the Tax Payers’ Alliance, said
of the deal: “It’s unacceptable that the threat of strike action during
the Olympics is being so handsomely rewarded. This is insulting to
commuters.” Other Britons compared the salaries to those of other public
sector workers. Police officers, nurses, soldiers and teachers are paid
far less than subway train drivers.
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