BITTER rail union bosses are unleashing strike misery on one of the biggest sporting days of the year.
Aslef’s Mick Whelan — a self-styled pal of the workers — will try to wreck two of their favourite events.
Disruption on June 3 will hit fans going to the FA Cup Final and racegoers heading to Epsom for The Derby.
The walkout, one of three by Aslef, will inflict transport hell on 80,000 Manchester City and Manchester United followers.
Aslef members will also strike on May 12 and May 31.
In another major blow, rail workers with the RMT union will strike on May 13 — the day of the Eurovision final in Liverpool.
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Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan, who enjoys a £151,371-a- year package, has a desk full of Chelsea memorabilia.
His side were thrashed 4-0 by City in the Cup’s third round.
Aslef president David Calfe is an Arsenal fan, whose team lost 4-1 to City in Wednesday’s title clash.
Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “This looks like nothing more than sour grapes on the part of the union after their teams have lost.
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“The actions of Aslef will ruin the plans for football fans, families and those wanting to experience Eurovision. I’m giving them nul points.”
Kevin Parker, of the Manchester City Official Supporters Club, said: “This is the last thing we need.”
The Manchester United Supporters Trust added: “We need all modes of transport available to cope with the level of demand and the railways are a key part of that.
“We call on the Government and union to find a way to avert this.”
The May 12 eve-of-Eurovision action will hit 3,000 Ukrainians invited to the song contest which their war-torn nation cannot host.
Footie fans will be travelling to six Premier League fixtures on May 13.
Families planning half-term trips later in May, and cricket fans heading to the England vs Ireland Test match at Lord’s also face chaos.
Downing Street called the walkouts “incredibly disappointing”.
A No10 spokesman said: “We believe the offer that’s on the table is fair and reasonable.”
Tory MP Greg Smith, who sits on the Transport Select Committee, said: “Unbelievable that Aslef want to inflict more misery on the great British public at such an important time in the sporting calendar.
“They need to understand the damage they are doing and reflect on the high salaries they enjoy.”
Tory MP Caroline Dinenage said of the song contest final: “This is Ukraine’s Eurovision and British people have put their heart and soul into doing it justice for them.
“It feels heartless to deprive Ukrainian people the rare opportunity for escapism after everything they have endured.”
The strikes will heap further pain on pubs and restaurants trying to recover from the pandemic. The sector has lost more than £3billion in sales as a result of the strikes and the high-demand summer period will now be impacted.
Kate Nicholls, of UK Hospitality, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating that almost a year on from the start of this dispute, there appears to be no resolution in sight.”
Aslef announced its strikes after a meeting of the executive. Mr Whelan described the new pay offer of eight per cent over two years as “risible”.
He said: “The proposal was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of ten per cent and our members at these companies have not had an increase for four years.”
The union said all non-contractual overtime from May 15 for six days and also on Saturday 13 and Thursday June 1 will be withdrawn, which will likely affect services.
The RMT turned down an offer which included a first-year payment of five per cent but only if no further walkouts would take place
Boss Mick Lynch said: “We have no alternative but to press ahead with more strike action.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper called on Aslef to let its members vote on the deal put forward by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).
He said: “It is deeply disappointing that Aslef has decided to call strikes and ban overtime, targeting thousands of people attending the UK’s first Eurovision event in 25 years, including Ukrainians displaced by Putin’s war, and the first all-Manchester FA Cup final.
“The offer from the RDG included urgent reform to ensure our railways are financially sustainable for the benefit of passengers, workers and the taxpayer as well as delivering a pay rise for members whose salary already averages £60,000.
“Aslef need to call off strikes and give their members a say on this.”
Aslef said it had met employers eight times over a year to find a resolution. They claimed they had to hold eight strike days before the Government would even negotiate.
A union source added: “The teams Mick and Dave support have no bearing on the days action will be taken.”
They added they have to give 14 days notice to call strikes to try to ensure rosters are filled.
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The Rail Delivery Group said: “Senselessly targeting Eurovision and the FA Cup final is disappointing for all those planning to attend.
“We urge Aslef leadership to rejoin us at the negotiating table.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
