Sadiq Khan has refused to say how much money City Hall has given to Transport for London (TfL) so it can carry on pay negations with unions after a strike was averted on Sunday (January, December 7). Reports have suggested that £30 million was provided from the Mayor of London's budget so that TfL's offer of a five per cent wage boost offered to workers could be increased.
Mr Khan hinted that all of the cash may not be used, as he told the London Assembly that the pot is 'potentially available, hypothetically speaking' to Tube staff. It is to be used at the discretion of TfL, which says it will negotiate with all unions representing London Underground workers this week.
The mayor said this morning (Tuesday, January 9): "What I don't want to do is get into discussions about the negotiations with the RMT and how much money potentially is available, hypothetically speaking, in relation to RMT or other trade unions."
READ MORE: TfL explains why delays have hit London Underground lines as engineers 'struggle to keep up'
Asked by Conservative Andrew Boff AM if he had budgeted for any future pay awards that may be needed, Mr Khan replied: "One of the things in relation to things around wages is they're reoccurring. And that's why it's really important to be cognisant of the dangers of using one off potential payments with staff on permanent contracts or as a pay reward, and those are some of the calculations internally that need to be done before we come up with a figure that can be used for recurring costs like, for example, a pay increase."
It comes as the Evening Standard reports that members of the ASLEF union - which represents most drivers on the Tube - are to be balloted to enable it to retain the power to call a strike at a fortnight’s notice. This comes after they accepted TfL's 'full and final' offer of a five per cent increase to wages.
MyLondon understands that this was 'overwhelming' as members voted by a margin of 1,301 (88.56 per cent) to 168 (11.44 per cent) for the deal. But now, more cash is available and negotiations have resumed.
High inflation meant TfL could not offer any more
The RMT union was set to cripple the Tube network this week until Mr Khan's shock intervention. Asked by MyLondon yesterday about the prospects of a new deal, a spokesperson for declined to comment whilst talks take place.
The mayor has been criticised for 'caving into' union by critics. A spokesperson for Mr Khan said yesterday: "The mayor has taken the decision to allocate additional funding to TfL as part of the City Hall budget process.
"This is consistent with the mayor providing additional funding for London Fire Brigade and City Hall staff for 2023-24, and the Home Office similarly providing additional funding for police pay in 2023-24. High inflation meant that appropriate pay rises could not be implemented within the budgets available to these organisations.”
On Sunday, TfL said that its officials will shortly meet with representatives from all unions to agree on the best way for City Hall's funding to be used. A spokesperson for the authority said: “Last week we discussed our pay offer extensively with the three trade unions that had rejected it, making clear that TfL cannot afford anymore."
Our London Underground newsletter brings you the latest travel updates to help you survive your commute - as well as a weekly dose of Tube trivia! You can sign up HERE.
(Feed generated with FetchRSS)