East Midlands Train drivers to go on strike during Olympics

“Was it not reported a couple of weeks ago a deal had been reached with the unions, and now they want more they are worse than bankers by ripping off the taxpayer.”

“Why an earth shouldn't train driver have a "good pension" all that means is that we won't have to pay them extra to make up their state pension. Even if they earn above average workers, that is not the point. I worked for less than average wages all my life and paid more than six percent of my earnings into a pension scheme only to find I am worse of than many of my mates who paid into no pension scheme at all and whose income was three times as much. I don't begrudge that, they took the risk to blow all their money and didn't then know they would get pensions made up. What I do resent is director and ministers that have never worked in their lives deliberately causing disputes and turning workers against workers. We do not need silver spoon feed idiots turning worker against worker over differences in pay that are no more than crumbs compared to directors perks let alone their salaries. If the director cannot manage their most important resources without causing strikes then as a shareholder I believe it is they that should be sacked not real workers. I need train drivers not silver spoon feed directors that I would not trust with a wheel barrow.”

“@ Grant2010; you've missed the point - if the service run by EMT has not transported as many passengers as predicted under the franchise (so much so that they qualify for further subsidy from the taxpayer simply to maintain operations), then that additional money is neither going to be available for Director 'emolument' nor to bolster pension arrangements for already above average earners... where do ASLEF think extra money is to appear from, more taxpayer subsidy?

Perhaps we should just up the ante further to EMT so they can feather the pension pot more - There's millions of workers already viewing later (and less well funded retirement) who won't mind paying more tax... I think not!”

“The very worst example of Unions holding the country to ransom. It takes us back to the dark ages of the 70s which eventualy lost all public support for unions and spawned the Thatcher years. Its just about as stupid as stupid gets.”

“Hot on their heels are the immigration staff at the airport threatening to strike the day before the games begin. It was pretty obvious that unions would use the olympics as a golden opportunity to air their grievances and gain maximum publicity and therefore cause maximum embarassment to the government.

On a personal level I'm just hoping the TV cameramen will follow suit.”

“How selfish the worst type of politics ever, people will not forget these union barons who are only driven in destroying this country.”

“Don't give into them, if government increases pay or pension then every other Tom Dick and Harry Union will be on strike during Olympics.”

“"£46M government subsidy that has just been paid to EMT" not the train drivers nor indeed ASLEF. And it is indeed EMT that are refusing to pay out any extra remuneration to the drivers for extra work despite the fact the have indeed been paid to do just this by the taxpayer.for one don't believe this money is EMT's to hang on to. Why should I as a taxpayer subsides well paid directors. If they don't get this sorted those director responsible should be brought to account.”

“Naturally they dont mean to incovinence the travelling public its just unfotunate they are in the way Its about time they started to live in the real world the Greedy gits”

“They'll probably call it off at the last minute, after everyone has spent out another big bundle making alternative arrangements, and then expect us to tell them how wonderul they are.

Of course they have the right to strike but you do wonder who's in charge of ASLEF's PR department.

Most unions make a big play for public support when they call a strike. This lot obviously can't be bothered or haven't thought about it or just don't care about the passengers who provide them with their wages (and pensions).”