PM and unions unimpressed at outgoing chief Iain Coucher’s £641,000 top-up

Network Rail bosses are to receive six-figure bonuses, despite criticism from the prime minister and unions.

According to a BBC report, the organisation’s ruling body has voted in favour of a package giving outgoing chief executive Iain Coucher a £641,000 bonus. This will take his pay to £1,447,000, an increase of 53% on 2009.

Members voted 37 to 31 in favour of the pay package, with nine abstentions.

Although Network Rail is technically a private company, it does not pay any dividends and is subsidised by the government.

Number 10 has expressed disappointment at the decision.

Head of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association union, Gerry Doherty said those taking the bonuses had no concept of public morality or service.