Tube drivers get controversial increased pay rise after agreeing to lower amount
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Aslef Tube drivers are to be offered a controversial increased pay rise despite agreeing to a lower rise of 5%.
The revised offer comes after London mayor Sadiq Khan found an extra £30m to settle the dispute with the RMT Tube workers and call off strike action.
The move prompted drivers union Aslef to demand a bigger pay rise after previously settling at 5% because they were told there was no more money.
Asked if Aslef would be included in any new pay offer Mr Khan said: "Absolutely. I want to thank all our transport workers for the amazing work they did particularly during the pandemic - Aslef, RMT, TSSA.
"Every transport worker is important to me, no matter what union they are a member of."
On Tuesday, Sadiq Khan refused to say how much taxpayers’ money he is prepared to spend on a fresh pay offer for Tube workers.
The RMT said the mayor had offered an extra £30m - a figure later confirmed by a City Hall spokesperson.
But Mr Khan refused to confirm the amount when he was questioned by members of the London Assembly.
Conservative chair of the Budget & Performance Committee Neil Garratt said the mayor had signalled a change in negotiating tactics.
"It sounds like the Bat Signal has gone up from City Hall that if you want more money then threaten a strike," Mr Garratt told Sadiq Khan.
London's mayor defended his actions and said he believed in talking and negotiating, adding: "I don't see it as a sign of weakness. I see it as recognising the fantastic work our transport workers do.
"They are represented by excellent trade unions and I am keen to ensure we resolve things amicably."
Neil Garratt claimed extra money was the reason the strike was called off rather than negotiations.
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