Standing in a stuffy tube train is unpleasant enough without Bob Crow making your life even harder. Almost 3 million people have been hassled again this week with another bout of RMT strikes. Not only are these pay strikes an immense inconvenience, they are also unfair and risky in the current climate.
In the current economic conditions of rising inflation there is one thing that will make it ten times worse: wage inflation. This is an economic truth that the RMT and other unions have to accept, above inflation salary increases only exacerbate inflationary pressures. Public-sector workers must recognise that they will have to spend a few less pennies whilst the economy corrects itself, just like everyone else.
The main driver behind the wage strikes are that rivals Metronet were offering a better pay packet. Why should train drivers—who are paid a minimum of £23,000—be different from bankers, waitresses and delivery men who get paid different amounts in different companies?
Crow has pushed too far now, he can’t continually hold the Mayor to ransom over pay. The tube system is relied upon by too many people for it to be halted on multiple occasions. Facing down Crow could be a great way for Boris to assert his authority.
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