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Aslef urges ‘ostrich’ Mark Harper to discuss bitter pay dispute by Christmas
Transport Secretary Mark Harper during a visit to the site of the HS2 project at Curzon Street Station, July 17, 2023

RAIL trade unionists likened Transport Secretary Mark Harper to an ostrich after he said the government “won’t throw money” at train drivers today.

Mr Harper was asked how negotiations over the bitter pay dispute and more than a week of industrial action this month were going on LBC.

He insisted an offer was on the table “that everyone says I should get round, it’s there.”

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