Good Morning Britain viewers have reacted following an interview on the ITV news programme on Thursday where the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers general secretary, Mick Lynch, shut down claims he was on a "six-figure salary" and branded it "completely untrue". Mick joined the ITV news programme on August 18 where he was interviewed by Kate Garraway and ITV news journalist Paul Brand - who was making his GMB debut.
It comes as members of the public have been warned of further travel disruption today, as RMT members at Network Rail and 14 train operators, TSSA members at seven companies, and Unite members at NR stage strikes. It follows a long-running dispute over pay, job security and working conditions, The Mirror reports.
RMT general secretary Mick appeared live from a picket line in London, as tens of thousands of workers join the latest walk-outs. Paul Brand asked: “What support are you giving members? Because you’re on a six-figure salary. I’m not going to demonise you for that this morning, there is many a politicians on a six-figure salary.”
Mick was quick to interrupt and denied the claim saying: “I’m not. I’m not on a six-figure salary. That’s completely untrue. Where did you get that from? I’m not on a six-figure salary."
Paul added: “So the newspaper reports are untrue?” and Mick replied: “Well the newspapers are wrong and maybe they're not telling the truth."
"Well you’re on significantly more than many of your members are and, like I say, I’m not interested in demonising you for that this morning," Paul added.
Mick then laughed as Paul continued: "What I’m trying to ask you here is, you’ve got members who are on very low salaries as Kate has said – how much longer can they really continue with these strikes for? Because you might be committed to them, you say your members are committed to them, but actually many of them are going to start feeling the pain pretty soon aren’t they?”
“Of course they feel the pain," Mick replied: "They’re making a sacrifice to stand up for their rights, to stand up for their industry, to stand up for safety and to stand up for the ability for workers in this country - and themselves - to earn a living. There is a cost of living crisis, you don’t get anything without being committed to a cause and our members are fully committed.”
Many Good Morning Britain viewers were quick to slam the question posed by presenter Paul Brand and took to Twitter to share their views on interview. Niki tweeted: "Silly to talk about Mick’s pay, which is obviously more than rail workers, but it’s in keeping with his position! Keep on point: rail workers issues. If the rail company took better care of its people & managed system better more people would use it = more revenue from fares."
Warren Peace wrote: “WTF has Mick Lynch's salary got to to with anything?” Tina tweeted: “This Paul Brand fella let himself down, firstly stating that Mick Lynch is on a six figure salary which is wrong, then saying that he doesn't want to demonise him for it. What was the point of saying it then? Don't get your info from outlets that are trying to demonise him.”
Lewis added: "Wherever Mick Lynch goes they try to (falsely) bring up that he's on a 6-figure salary as if that detracts from his message. It's because they can't critique the actual message and demands because how can you oppose affordable housing or fair wage or taxing the rich? #GMB."
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV and ITV Hub from 6am.
