Transport Secretary sticks it to Andy Burnham for supporting rail strikes and the mayor is NOT happy

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has called for transport workers to 'reconsider' strike action - and slammed Mayor Andy Burnham for supporting workers over pay deals. Mr Burnham's office have responded to the scathing attack by questioning Mr Shapps' undermining of people’s right to fight for their income, and accused the Government of 'playing politics'.

In a statement shared with the Manchester Evening News, Grant Shapps said railways are in a 'perilous state' following Covid and that the industry needed modernising to aid 'levelling up'. Of Mr Burnham, who is currently spearheading major bus reform, he added: "But not everyone agrees, especially the Mayor of Greater Manchester. He came out in full support for the disruptive strike action which recently paralysed most of the North, hurting the very people he was elected to serve.

"We heard stories of holidaymakers stranded at Manchester Airport unable to get home, hospital appointments missed, and one parent who faced a journey of 180 miles so her sons could take their GCSEs. It begs the question – whose side is the Mayor on? And with more strikes in the offing, I urge union leaders to reconsider.

READ MORE: How July and August train strikes will affect events in Greater Manchester

"Nurses, teachers and police officers across the North can only dream of the salaries enjoyed by train drivers who, despite the challenges facing their industry, are expecting inflationary pay rises on salaries often reaching £70k."

Mr Shapps' comments have followed widespread strike action among rail and bus workers, with further walk-outs planned for this month and next month. Workers at eight rail firms are due to strike on July 30, while Network Rail and 14 train operating