The 36 union fat-cats who are picking up more than £100k
TRADE union bosses who have led strike action over pay and conditions are among three dozen pocketing more than £100,000 a year.
A definitive union ‘ rich list’ will today reveal that the total pay and perks of the highest-paid union bosses totalled £4.6million last year.
Thirty-six general secretaries and chief executives received remuneration in six figures, including the heads of many of the big public sector unions that have either launched industrial action or threatened to do so.
Some have enjoyed inflation-busting increases at a time when millions of their members have had to contend with cuts to their pensions and salary freezes.
Many public sector unions have set aside substantial war chests in preparation for a further wave of strikes against cuts in public spending.
At the same time, the unions have received substantial subsidies at taxpayers’ expense. In 2010- 11 the subsidy amounted to at least £113million, both in direct payments and paid staff time. According to an audit of the most recent annual returns from the unions by the TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign group, among the 36 union leaders on more than £100,000 were those who have already launched or threatened strikes. The figures include salary, pension contributions and other perks or allowances.
Top of the list, according to the report, was Michael Bradley, of the General Federation of Trade Unions, whose package totalled £203,416. His salary was £65,594, but other benefits, including pension payments, were worth £137,822 – boosted by a ‘loss of office’ payment of £30,000 when he retired at the end of December last year.
Christine Blower, of the NUT, enjoyed total remuneration of £142,363, a rise of £13,353 on the previous year, according to the report. Brendan Barber, head of the TUC, was on £139,634 (up £17,040), while Len McCluskey of Unite was on £122,434.
Paul Kenny, of the GMB, had a package worth £121,000, a £4,000 rise, while Bob Crow, of the militant RMT, was on £121,687, up £3,586, the report says.
Mark Serwotka, of the PCS, which yesterday announced strike action aimed at causing border chaos next week, had total remuneration of £116,429, it added.
Matthew Sinclair, director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Taxpayers will be staggered by the hypocrisy of union bosses who, while playing at being class warriors, lead strikes which disrupt the lives of millions of people and pocket six-figure pay and benefits.’
A TUC spokesman said: ‘ No taxpayer money goes towards the salaries of union leaders. All the details contained in the TaxPayers’ Alliance “research” are publicly available. Unlike this shadowy right-wing organisation, unions publish full accounts.’