One in three union barons earn more than £100,000

Published: 00:20, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 00:20, 3 August 2026 Britain's union barons were branded 'champagne socialists' on Sunday night as it emerged more than a third are on six-figure pay packages. Figures show 45 of 131 bosses earned more than £100,000 last year – with one in six raking in packages worth as much as the Prime Minister's salary of £170,000 or more. And one banked pay and perks worth £725,000. It comes as more than 1.2 million working days have been lost to strikes since Labour came to power in 2024 – and more strikes are being threatened. Details of union bosses' pay and perks were published by regulator the Certification Officer (CO). Analysis of the figures for the 2025/26 financial year shows 45 of 117 unions which filed annual returns received salaries and 'benefits' worth six figures. Several unions, including Britain's second-largest, Unite, failed to submit returns, meaning the true figure was likely higher. William Yarwood, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'If these champagne socialists want to lecture the country on fairness, they should start by explaining why their own rewards keep rising while membership falls.' Among those recorded as having six-figure salaries was the boss of the militant British Medical Association (BMA), which has unleashed 15 rounds of strikes by resident doctors in the past three years.  It is threatening more walkouts in the coming months and demanding a multi-year pay deal worth an inflation-busting 33 per cent – or £50,000 – for new strikes to be averted. The union last night confirmed Tom Dolphin, the BMA chair of council, was entitled to a salary of £103,612.  But a spokesman said: 'He only draws the salary from BMA that he would otherwise be paid as a consultant anaesthetist.'  Hardline RMT boss Eddie Dempsey's package was made up of a salary of £96,838 and benefits worth £30,501, while National Education Union chief Daniel Kebede got a salary of £136,902 and perks worth £11,598. It is understood this has since increased. Both unions are threatening more strikes this year. The highest pay was banked by Professional Footballers' Association boss, Maheta Molango, who took a salary of £649,000 and 'benefits' of £76,000. This was followed by the boss of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), Stephen Cotton, on a £235,000 salary and £44,000 benefits. Among those enjoying packages worth more than former PM Sir Keir Starmer's salary of £166,786 last year were the bosses of the National Association of Head Teachers (£182,422 salary and £39,120 benefits) and the Royal College of Midwives (£149,413 salary and £38,997 benefits). Also on six figures were Gary Smith, of the GMB union (£152,000 in total), and Paul Nowak, of the Trades Union Congress, on £138,993. Tory MP Greg Smith said: 'It's a classic of the genre for union chiefs – 'do as I say, not as I do'.' Spokesmen for the ITF and RMT unions said packages were 'democratically agreed' by members. All unions were contacted for comment.