SHAPPS STOPPING ’ ANY STRIKE DEALS

Top lawyer uncovers secret dispute deal in rail contracts

TRANSPORT Secretary Grant Shapps is stopping rail companies settling with strikers, according to a top lawyer.

As the network was paralysed yesterday for the third day this week, employment expert Michael Ford QC ripped apart Mr Shapps’ claim he is forced to stay out of negotiations.

Mr Ford, who discovered a secret dispute-handling plan in rail contracts, said: “Train operators do not have freedom to negotiate matters which have given rise to the current dispute.

“It is the Secretary of State, not the operator, who has over-arching direction and control of the strike.”

This means, according to the TUC, the 15 train operators are unable to negotiate pay, conditions and pensions of 40,000 striking RMT workers without the approval of Mr Shapps, pictured.

If they did try to reach a deal he could hit them with financial penalties by making them foot the bill for extra wages.

That contradicts Mr Shapps’ claim to

Parliament on 15 June negotiations are between the employer and the union.

TUC boss Frances O’grady, who hired Mr Ford, said: “The PM and Transport Secretary have misled the public. When they said the Government has no role in handling this dispute, that’s not true.” RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch added: “We’ve always known the government has extensive powers in these negotiations and this legal opinion confirms that.”

Yesterday there were no trains to resorts including Bournemouth, Blackpool, Margate, Llandudno and Skegness and none in Cornwall.

The Department for Transport said: “The Transport Secretary is required to set the limits of taxpayer support and ultimately sign off on any deal – not to be involved in negotiating one.

“The union knows full well that negotiations over pay and working practices don’t happen with the Government.”