The Transport Secretary Mark Harper has insisted that the government will not “throw more money at train drivers” after there has been a week of further disruption across the UK earlier this month.
Aslef train driver took to industrial action this month over the long running bitter dispute over pay which has been ongoing for more than a year.
Harper was asked by LBC over the progress of the negotiations, he said, “There is an offer on the table.
“It would take the average salary of a train driver from an average of £60,000 for a 35-hour, four-day week to just under £65,000 for that 35-hour, four-day week.
“It’s on the table. The table that everyone says I should get round, it’s there. We’re not going to throw more money at train drivers.
“Mick Whelan (Aslef general secretary) should take the offer that’s on the table, put it to his members and ask them if they want to accept it. He hasn’t done that.
“I want train drivers to get a pay rise and to stop disrupting the railways.”
In a message to Harper recorded for LBC, Whelan said, “We’ve experienced nothing but bad faith since you took over.
“But we are willing to meet you any time in the next two weeks if you’re willing to resolve this situation.
“We look forward to hearing from you.”
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