12 May 2023 , 08:49
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The "dead hand of Government" is preventing a deal being reached to avert train strikes inflicting misery on commuters, a union boss has claimed.
Mick Whelan - the General Secretary of train drivers' union ASLEF - said deals in recent months have been "set up to fail" in the long-running dispute over pay and conditions.
It comes as passengers face major disruption today with ASLEF members walking out before members of the RMT take part in strike action on Saturday.
The industrial action coincides with the Eurovision contest being held in Liverpool and the final is likely to impact those travelling to the city for the final tomorrow.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Whelan said that his members haven't had a pay rise for four years.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
"We had an underhand deceitful offer come out at Christmas, despite that we went back to the table in good faith," he said.
Aslef General Secretary Mick Whelan (PA)The ASLEF chief added: "I have to believe the dead hand of the Government is in this somewhere.
"The companies are telling us they can't do anything without going to the Treasury and Dft [Department for Transport], who control the purse strings.
"I have to believe it's the companies in league with the Government who actually don't want a resolution to the dispute."
He went on: "Having demonised train drivers for so long, having a settlement when you've got nurses and teachers and other people out on strike might be difficult for them, but be honest about that."
He also dismissed claims the strikes this week have been timed to clash with Eurovision.
"Strangely enough, I don't really watch Eurovision, I didn't know they had semi-finals," he said, adding that "if we were targeting Eurovision we would have done Friday, Saturday and Sunday".
But the Tory rail minister Huw Merriman urged train drivers' union Aslef and the RMT to put what he described as the Government's "fair and reasonable" pay offer to members.
The Conservative MP told Times Radio: "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience that passengers will have to bear. The sad reality of this situation is that there are offers on the table which have been given to both the train drivers' union and the RMT.
"The leadership has chosen not to put those offers to their members and I feel if they did, there would be the opportunity for members to decide if they wish to take them.
Rail strikes to continue as RMT union members reject 'dreadful' pay offer
He added: "We feel these are fair and reasonable, and we need to see those put to their members. So, it is not the case that there is not an offer there - the offer is there, we just need it put to members to see what they think about it."
Further strikes will be held on May 31 and June 3 - the day of the FA Cup final at Wembley.