Gravy trains

£3.2bn taken out of railway firms in dividends since 1996

-  GRAHAM HISCOTT

A UNION boss has accused foreign-owned railway firms of "profiteering" by taking £3.2billion in dividends over 25 years of privatisation.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers' union Aslef, wants better pay for workers.

He said many firms refusing wage claims are controlled by state-owned organisations in Europe, which are said to have enjoyed bumper windfalls.

Mr Whelan told the Mirror: "We've had more than 25 years of profiteering by those privateers. That is money that could have been invested in Britain's railways and reducing fares.

"We've either subsidised nationalised industries in other countries or we've subsidised international owning groups because we've not been allowed to run our own trains."

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