Mining a Rich Seam
The Independent newspaper confirms that the financial arrangements surrounding Arthur Scargill are even more ridiculous than they first appeared.
Here's what the paper says about the unbelievably generous payments still being made to the former NUM president - who retired eight years ago in 2002.
"Since resigning as president of the NUM in 2002, Scargill has continued in the role of honorary president. He still maintains an office at the union's headquarters in Barnsley. He is paid a salary of more than £30,000 and the NUM pays £33,000 a year for his flat in the Barbican area of London.
Until recently he was receiving allowances for his fuel and telephone bills. Those were stopped after the NUM conference in June, and the union is now deliberating whether to continue paying for his flat and salary. Mr Kitchen said: "It seems ludicrous that he is drawing more money per year than what the official members are drawing, given that he retired in 2002."
Scargill will no doubt fight any plan to take away his salary and flat, just as he did when his other perks, believed to be worth about £5,000, were withdrawn earlier this year."
With the NUM's membership standing at only 1500 these days - that's a lot of members' money going straight down the drain.
Here's what the paper says about the unbelievably generous payments still being made to the former NUM president - who retired eight years ago in 2002.
"Since resigning as president of the NUM in 2002, Scargill has continued in the role of honorary president. He still maintains an office at the union's headquarters in Barnsley. He is paid a salary of more than £30,000 and the NUM pays £33,000 a year for his flat in the Barbican area of London.
Until recently he was receiving allowances for his fuel and telephone bills. Those were stopped after the NUM conference in June, and the union is now deliberating whether to continue paying for his flat and salary. Mr Kitchen said: "It seems ludicrous that he is drawing more money per year than what the official members are drawing, given that he retired in 2002."
Scargill will no doubt fight any plan to take away his salary and flat, just as he did when his other perks, believed to be worth about £5,000, were withdrawn earlier this year."
With the NUM's membership standing at only 1500 these days - that's a lot of members' money going straight down the drain.
