Hard-left US senator Bernie Sanders rants about class war at RMT rally

August 31, 2022

Stay out of our politics, Bernie! Hard-left US senator Sanders rants about class war at RMT-organised rally attended by Labour MPs and militant union bosses – after rail barons turned on Keir Starmer by targeting party conference with fresh strikes

In a furious rant, the US senator spoke at a rally in London organised by the RMT rail union last night
He said he ‘applauded’ the ‘inspirational’ union barons in attendance for inflicting crippling strikes on Britain
Rail union barons turned on Sir Keir Starmer yesterday by targeting Labour’s conference with new strikes
Train bosses in line for multi-million pound pay as passengers face record fare hikes, cancellations and strikes

Hard-left American politician Bernie Sanders last night joined Labour MPs and militant union bosses to declare class war and urge workers to carry on striking.

In a furious rant, the US senator spoke at a rally in London organised by the RMT rail union. He said he ‘applauded’ the ‘inspirational’ union barons in attendance for inflicting crippling strikes on Britain.

Mr Sanders told the crowd to ‘stand up to the demagogues’ and bring ‘working people together in the fight for justice’. He added: ‘Our job right now internationally is to stand together, our job is to bring people all over the world together to make it clear to the oligarchs that their day and their power is ending.’

RMT boss Mick Lynch told the rally: ‘Every single public service that we have built since the Second World War is now under attack.’

This comes as rail union barons turned on Sir Keir Starmer yesterday by targeting Labour’s annual conference with new strikes.

Hard-left American politician Bernie Sanders last night joined Labour MPs and militant union bosses to declare class war and urge workers to carry on striking

In a furious rant, the US senator spoke at a rally in London organised by the RMT rail union. He is pictured with President of RMT Mike Lynch

This comes as rail union barons turned on Sir Keir Starmer yesterday by targeting Labour’s annual conference with new strikes

The TSSA union said 7,000 workers for Network Rail and nine train operators covering most of the country would walk out for 24 hours from noon on September 26.

It is understood the timing was chosen to coincide with Labour’s conference in Liverpool, which runs from September 25 to 28. The militant RMT rail union could also target the event.

Meanwhile, train drivers’ union Aslef announced a walkout of workers for 12 operators on September 15. There are 15 main operators controlled by the Department for Transport covering the country, meaning it will bring most lines to a halt. TSSA boss Manuel Cortes urged Labour MPs to defy party leader Sir Keir by leaving the conference to join picket lines.

Union barons, who have donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to Labour, are furious with Sir Keir for refusing to back senior MPs who join strikers.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham became the latest Labour figure to defy him on Tuesday by saying he would join RMT picket lines this winter.

Sir Keir told Jeremy Vine on Channel 5 yesterday: ‘I completely understand why people are voting to go on strike. I understand how much they’re struggling – wages have been stagnant for the best part of ten years, we’ve got a cost of living crisis, so prices are going up.’

But asked if he would join TSSA picket lines, he said: ‘No. I want a Labour government, I want to be a Labour prime minister. You can’t sit around the Cabinet table resolving issues and then walk on to a picket line, they are different jobs.’

The TSSA represents Network Rail controllers, who deem whether trains are safe to run, and station staff. Major routes will be hit, including those on the key East Coast and West Coast Mainlines. Among the nine operators affected will be the TransPennine Express, hitting travellers going to the conference from northern cities. Avanti West Coast, which connects London and the Midlands with the North West, will also be affected.

Mr Cortes blamed the Transport Secretary, adding: ‘The dead hand of Grant Shapps is stopping train operating companies from making a meaningful offer.

‘He either sits across the negotiating table with our union or gets out of the way to allow railway bosses to freely negotiate with us.’

Aslef’s strike will have a bigger impact as train drivers cannot be replaced by back-up staff. Its boss, Mick Whelan, said: ‘Train companies have forced our hand. They want drivers to take a real-terms cut – to work just as hard this year as last, but for 10 per cent less.’

Mr Sanders said he ‘applauded’ the ‘inspirational’ union barons in attendance for inflicting crippling strikes on Britain

Mr Sanders told the crowd to ‘stand up to the demagogues’ and bring ‘working people together in the fight for justice’

The RMT, which represents signallers and guards, has mandates to call strikes of Network Rail staff and workers for 14 train operators. It must give two weeks’ notice of action, giving it time to call walkouts coinciding with the TSSA’s.

All three unions want inflation-linked pay rises. RMT boss Mick Lynch warns co-ordinated action could spill into next summer if their demands are not met.

The Department for Transport said unions had chosen ‘self-defeating strike action over constructive talks’.

REVEALED: The ‘fat cat’ rail bosses who are set to receive up to £4.2M in pay packages this year… while passengers face record fare hikes, cancellations and strikes

Train bosses are in line to receive multi-million pound pay packages this year as passengers face record fare hikes, cancellations and strikes.

A Daily Mail investigation reveals some executives could earn as much as £4.2 million despite a year plagued by poor punctuality, engineering works and the worst strikes disruption in decades – with more to come.

The Government bailed out the railways to the tune of £16 billion during the pandemic, meaning taxpayers’ money has helped subsidise the bumper pay packets. And next year passengers can expect fare increases of between 6 and 8 per cent – the largest on record.

Despite all this, Graham Sutherland, the CEO of FirstGroup, is in line for a remuneration package worth up to £3 million.

Graham Sutherland (pictured), the CEO of FirstGroup, is in line for a remuneration package worth up to £3 million

Boss of Go-Ahead, Christian Schreyer (pictured), could earn up to £1.37 million this year. This is as passengers face record fare hikes, cancellations and strikes

Rupert Soames (pictured), chief executive of Serco, which operates the Caledonian Sleeper and part controls Merseyrail, could earn £4.2 million if he hits his performance targets

The firm owns 70 per cent of Avanti West Coast, which cancelled one in six services in the four-weeks to July 23. It has also reduced services between Manchester and London until further notice.

Boss of Go-Ahead, Christian Schreyer, could earn up to £1.37 million this year. Go-Ahead has a 65 per cent stake in Southern, Great Northern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express. Rupert Soames, chief executive of Serco, which operates the Caledonian Sleeper and part controls Merseyrail, could earn £4.2 million if he hits his performance targets.

Tory MP Greg Smith, who sits on the Commons transport committee, said: ‘I’ve got no objection to big pay packages…but what we’re seeing on the railways today is anything but first-class as my constituents struggle to even get a seat on rush hour trains.’ A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents all operators, said: ‘We need to pay salaries that mean we can attract the best talent.’

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