Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty were back on Saturday to present the latest news headlines on BBC Breakfast. However, things soon took a turn when Charlie spoke with Rail Delivery Group chair, Steve Montgomery, who joined the show to discuss the further rail strikes.
Ahead of the weekend, it was warned there would be another railway strike as disputes regarding pay and working conditions continued.
Staff from nine companies including Southeastern, London Overground and Greater Anglia had walked out to strike.
With unions calling for their wages to rise in line with the cost of living, rail funders announced they could only fund a rise through reform.
To discuss this further Steve from the Rail Delivery Group appeared on the Breakfast show.
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As Steve stood in front of an unusually empty Euston station, he began to be grilled by a fiery Charlie who wanted answers about the strikes.
After Steve warned passengers to check before they travel, Charlie asked: “Why can’t the train rail companies come to an agreement with the unions, what is the problem?”
Steve hit back: “The issue is as we’ve said all along, the industry has received £16billion of taxpayers’ subsidiaries through the pandemic to keep it operating.
Defending his reasons why, Steve replied: “We have been trying to talk, we had talked previously a number of months ago.”
Despite his explanations, viewers weren’t satisfied and took to Twitter to share their thoughts.
@cosmos2005 stated: “Give the train workers the same pay rise as the directors have got. Would probably solve virtually every pay dispute.” (sic)
A second viewer @jennywackett added: “Anyone else get the feeling Steve Montgomery, Rail Delivery Group is not on the side of the train drivers? Seems everyone else has had ‘their cut’ though.” (sic)
Siding with the strikers, @Kels tweeted: “[RMTUnion] are correct in their actions, you’re lucky they chose a weekend and NOT another weekday!”
While others slammed Charlie for his line of questioning including @DavidLambert, who said: “Charlie why are you so rude and bone ignorant when you interview.”
@ChrisAllum stated: “Yet again presenters are siding with the train companies instead of the striking workers…” (sic)
The viewer added: “Solidarity to the workers striking for fair pay rises and working conditions.”
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays at 6am on BBC One.
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