The train drivers' strike that began on Saturday has been timed to coincide with the Conservative party conference, their union leader has admitted.
"To say to Mr Harper: we haven't seen you since last December.In a statement from the union, Mr Whelan added: "Those who have, falsely, accused us of targeting events in the past, to hide their own shortcomings, and bad faith, have inspired us to take action on these days ."
He said Aslef members are "in it for the long haul" and that industrial action "isn't about a general secretary or a union executive committee"."It's about our members," Mr Whelan said. "We will keep on striking to make the voice of our members heard." Train drivers walked out on on Saturday and will go on strike again on Wednesday, which will affect millions of journeys across the country.Mr Harper told LBC's Andrew Castle on Saturday": "It's clearly a political strike today, coinciding with our party conference.
"There's a very fair and reasonable offer on the table for train drivers; they get paid an average of £60,000 per year for a 35-hour, four-day week. "The offer on the table would take that to £65,000 for a 35-hour, four-day week. I think most people listening to this would think that was quite reasonable."Train drivers are striking today and Wednesday.
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