ITV'sGood Morning Britain host Paul Bland faced backlash from viewers after questioningMick LynchTrade unionists were on the show yesterday as tens of thousands of rail workers went on strike, causing travel disruptions across Britain.
In a new round of industrial action, employees of Network Rail and 14 railway companies have joined a long-running dispute over wages, jobs and conditions. Rail, Maritime and Transport Union General Secretary Mick Lynch was interviewed by veteran host Kate Garraway and his ITV news editor Paul Brand.
After Paul questioned his salary, the union leader began laughing from Pickett's line. As reported by Mirror, he asked: I don't mean to demonize you this morning. Politicians earn six-figure salaries.
However, Mick quickly interrupted and refuted the allegations: I don't get a six figure salary. that's not entirely true.
Paul replied, "The newspaper reports are not true," but Mick demanded: I don't get a six figure salary. They are wrong and they are not telling the truth. ''
Paul came back and he said: I have no interest in demonizing you for that this morning. What I want to ask you here is that the salaries of the members are very low. How long can they really go on these strikes?
"You may be committed to your members, but many of them start feeling the pain quickly, right?"
Mick replied: They make sacrifices to protect their rights, their safety and their workers' ability to earn a living. Nothing is gained without committing to the cause, and our members are fully committed.
Good Morning UK viewers were deeply unimpressed by the exchange, which was denounced as "ignorant" on Paul's part.
"I'm not demonizing, but Paul Brand is utterly ignorant of the English language and what the word really means," wrote another.
A third Tweet tweeted: What was the point of saying that then? Do not get information from sources trying to demonize him.
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