More than a third of prominent UK union leaders are earning six-figure salaries, a development that has led to them being labeled 'champagne socialists.' This revelation comes as union members are being urged to strike, potentially leading to disruptions in essential services like hospitals, schools, and the rail network.
Figures compiled from the Certification Officer's (CO) annual report for the 2025/26 financial year show that 45 out of 131 union leaders received salaries and benefits totaling six figures or more. Approximately one in six of these leaders earned packages equivalent to or exceeding the Prime Minister's salary. One leader's total package reportedly reached £725,000 last year.
These pay packages are funded by membership fees, leading critics to question the leadership's stance when urging ordinary workers to forgo their own wages through industrial action.
Union Leaders' Compensation
Among those identified with six-figure compensation packages are leaders from unions that have recently threatened or engaged in strikes. Eddie Dempsey, the head of the RMT rail union, had a base salary of £96,838 with additional benefits of £30,501. Daniel Kebede, leader of the NEU education union, received a salary of £136,902 plus £11,598 in perks. Paul Nowak, head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), had a total package worth £138,993.
The British Medical Association (BMA), which has seen its members, including junior doctors, undertake multiple rounds of strikes, also has leaders with significant remuneration. Tom Dolphin, Chair of the BMA Council, was entitled to a salary of £103,612, though this could vary due to his continued practice as a doctor.
Gary Smith, the head of the GMB union, received a salary of £121,000 and £31,000 in benefits. Maryam Eslamdoust, General Secretary of the TSSA transport union, also received a six-figure package.
Impact of Strikes and Membership Trends
The report highlights that over 1.2 million working days have been lost to strikes since the Labour party won the 2024 election. Union leaders threatening further industrial action in the health, education, and rail sectors were noted among those receiving substantial pay. This situation has drawn sharp criticism from political figures.
Tory MP Greg Smith commented that union members should scrutinize the situation, seeing their leaders earning high salaries while advocating for strikes that impact workers' incomes. He characterized this as a classic example of "do as I say, not as I do."
Critics also point to falling union membership numbers, which have decreased from approximately 7 million a decade ago to about 6.5 million. William Yarwood of the TaxPayers' Alliance stated that union bosses who preach solidarity should reconcile their high earnings with the financial sacrifices made by ordinary members and taxpayers who are impacted by strikes.
Union Responses
Union representatives have defended the compensation packages. A BMA spokesman noted that Tom Dolphin, as a practicing doctor, only draws a salary comparable to what he would earn in his medical role. Spokespeople for the ITF and RMT unions stated their packages were democratically approved by members. An NEU spokesman indicated that Daniel Kebede's salary aligns with national pay scales for teachers and is comparable to headteacher salaries in London. A TUC spokesman put the General Secretary's pay into perspective by comparing it to the average FTSE 100 CEO earnings, which are significantly higher.