A plan to voluntarily lay off railway workers has been flooded with more than 5,000 applications, which calls into question the reasons for union leaders to start the most aggressive strike in a generation.
Railway managers applied for voluntary redundancies last fall as part of efforts to reduce the taxpayer burden caused by the pandemic.
Figures seen by The Telegraph show that train operators received 2,949 requests to resign. 2,159 more applied for the plan from Network Rail, the owner of state-backed tracks and stations.
While the number of voluntary layoffs sought by executives is closely monitored, it is understood that applications exceeded the seats by about two to one on Network Rail.
Meanwhile, train operators confirmed that “we had more people who were interested in the plan than we could initially accept.”
Union leaders insisted that voluntary redundancy programs had only been offered to Network Rail managerial staff.
However, the number of requests, published under freedom of information laws, calls into question the claims of “militant” trade union leaders that railway leaders are imposing unwanted job cuts to reduce costs. .
The figures also suggest that the organization leading the dispute – the Railway, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union (RMT) – is now facing an existential crisis as members struggle to leave the UK railway sector.
Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail, said: “We know there’s a big latent demand on Network Rail for people to leave and move on, it’s mostly a matter of age profile, and unions could unblock it.
“Without flexibility on their part, we will not be able to make the savings that will allow us to open a voluntary compensation scheme for their members. We hope that they will be resolved with some significant negotiations that could make any suggestion of compulsory dismissals null and void. “
Between 40,000 and 50,000 members of the RMT will retire on June 21, 23 and 25, interrupting the Glastonbury Festival, Headingley Trial Party and those heading to the Armed Forces Day celebrations on June 25. June.