Union bosses push for council homes priority despite earning £70k

One of Britain’s largest trade unions is demanding that its members receive priority for social housing, despite earning £70,000 a year, The Telegraph reveals.

In a list of demands, the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT) argues that tube drivers are key workers and should be given priority for council housing in London.

The news comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan revealed plans last year for rent-controlled homes for London’s key workers. However, these would also include barristers, solicitors, and anyone earning less than £67,000 a year.

Left-wing union barons taking homes away

RMT bosses, in negotiations with Transport for London (TfL), are calling on TfL to secure an agreement with London Mayor Sadiq Khan to improve housing access for their members.

The RMT said: “We urge TfL to reach an agreement with the mayor to provide greater access to social housing for London Underground staff, who are essential to the city and its economy.”

Keith Prince, the City Hall Conservatives’ transport spokesman, hit back and accused the union of trying to take houses and money from taxpayers.

He told the Telegraph: “If allowing people on £70,000 a year to jump the queue for council houses is what the RMT think socialism is, it’s no wonder the Left-wing union barons are not content with taking millions of pounds from London taxpayers and instead now want to take homes too.

“Every time the union comes back with another tone-deaf request, can they look Londoners in the eyes and really say they’re more deserving?”

However, an RMT spokesperson defended the union’s stance stressing that most of their members earn significantly less than £70k.

An RMT spokesman told The Telegraph: “The overwhelming majority of the thousands of members we represent at all grades within London Underground earn far less than £70,000 a year.

“Social housing should be a right for all working people which is why it must be significantly expanded to help solve the London housing crisis.”

Sadiq Khan pushing for rent controls

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has campaigned to make housing more affordable for Londoners, pushing for rent controls despite evidence showing they often do more harm than good.

During last year’s London mayoral election, he pledged to use his existing powers to cap rents for these homes at one-third of the average wage of key workers.

The homes will be built by local councils and housing associations, which will be responsible for identifying suitable land for development.

However, there’s no indication of how much the house-building programme will cost.