'I don't watch Eurovision,' says railroad union head wreaking havoc among fans

Many rail companies don't operate at all. Photo: Jeremy Selwyn. 39; I don't watch Eurovision" in a row due to train strikes that hurt fans' looking forward to seeing the concert.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, which represents train drivers, said it was just a "coincidence" that trains are shutting down over the weekend ahead of a highly anticipated event in Liverpool.

Union members leave on Friday at 16 rail companies, with some withdrawing all services, including East Midlands Railway, Southern, Thameslink, Northern and TransPennine Express.

There are no trains from London to Liverpool as Avanti does not run either.

The rail, shipping and transport union (RMT) will also go on strike on Saturday — the day of the Eurovision Song Contest final in Liverpool — before then thousands of fans will head to the city.

& #39;I don't watch Eurovision much&#39 ;

Aslef also hits on 31 May and 3 June, the day of the FA Cup final. With thousands of passengers already in distress, London's Victoria is among the major termini to close completely.

But in a heated conversation with Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Whelan denied plotting to disrupt the UK's two biggest events of the summer.

p> Stranded travelers leave London Paddington Station in search of alternative transport. Photo: Ben Cawthra/LNP

«Oddly enough, I don't watch Eurovision much, I didn't even know they had semi-finals,» he said, adding that «if we were targeting Eurovision, we would perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Asked about the FA Cup clash between Manchester City and Manchester United, when many fans would need to travel to London, he added: «It's a coincidence.» We have just distributed it to our attendees over a period of time depending on their weekend pattern… If anyone can tell me a day in the UK where there is no event that is not disrupted, I would like to know.»

The head of the union, who received a £151,371 reward in 2021, also defended charging rail companies up to £500 a day for weekend work.

He said drivers were given such rates» quality rest. and «offer a safe railway without fatigue.»

Train drivers to receive £65,000

Mr Whelan said the railway companies are «in league with the government, which doesn't really want a solution to this dispute.» and that «our people are increasingly furious after four years without a wage agreement.»

But transport minister Hugh Merriman hit back, saying: «Right now, the average train driver is paid just under £60,000 for a 35-hour workweek.

Thameslink passenger trains are at the depot in Horsham, West Sussex, as the strike continues. Photo: Peter McDiarmid/LNP

"This pay offer will increase them to £65,000 and their wages have risen by 39 per cent since 2011 — the highest increase of any employment group.»

Anthony Smith, Chief Executive of the Supervisory organ of Transport Focus, said: «For those planning to lead Liverpool, strikes can really be a hindrance to parties.

" there will be massive violations.

"We appeal to all those who travel for Eurovision or for other reasons: check before you travel and keep checking. Also, be aware that the trains that run may be more crowded than you expect."

The railroad delivery team said that after many weeks of negotiations with Aslef's management, they have made " revised and fair offer" including an 8% pay increase over two years that «would have resulted in overdue, common sense improvements already in place in parts of the network.»