Plymouth bus drivers in pay dispute vote for strike
BUS drivers and depot staff are gearing up for strike action in a pay dispute set that threatens to impact on services.
First Devon and Cornwall staff have overwhelmingly backed industrial action.
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Transport union RMT – the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers – said the vote "draws a line in the sand" as they fight to protect workers' standards of living.
RMT members voted by almost 85 per cent for strike action, and by more than 90 per cent for action short of a strike.
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Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said there were more than 100 First staff in Plymouth and the vast majority were union members.
The ballot follows the rejection of what the union called a long overdue pay offer.
The First proposal is self-funding – meaning it would have no cost impact on the company and ring-fences their profits.
The union said it included the loss of paid walking time, the removal of time to do a visual "walk round" check when taking a bus over mid shift and dilution of sick pay benefits.
It follows the removal of the final salary section of the pension scheme, already implemented despite fierce union objections.
Mr Crow said: "This massive mandate for action by RMT members reflects their anger at the failure to come up with a serious pay offer and the attempt to bind up what is on the table with a whole load of strings to make it self-financing at the expense of the workforce.
"The company must take this situation seriously and RMT's executive will now consider the next move in this dispute.
"Our ballot draws a line in the sand as we fight to protect standards of living."
A First spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that First's very competitive offer has been rejected by the RMT, which included a wage increase of 7.1% over two years, 3.2% dependent on changes to efficiency, performance and other contractual terms.
"Though the outcome of the ballot was in favour of strike action or action short of a strike, First has not yet been notified of what form that may take. We are keen to avoid disruption to our services or inconvenience to the hardworking people who use them. We are hopeful that further meetings with the union's representatives will be constructive."
Comments
by GreenGOM
Sunday, October 21 2012, 6:27PM
“@CaniGetanAmen
Although I feel you are generally right, I don't think it is bus driver problem. As most bus drivers in Plymouth are plymothians, this is where the problem originates. Plymothians are generally surly, miserable, insular and humorless people. This can be seen by customer service levels all over the city.”
by CaniGetanAmen
Sunday, October 21 2012, 2:11PM
“Customer service skills have never been a priority for either Bus company, ever. When you encounter a Plymouth bus driver the attitude you witness is purely a reflection of that persons character. If that person is happy with their life and job of work then generally they will come across as polite and helpful and if that driver is not happy then what the passenger sees is shaking head, shrugging shoulders and stoney face. In the real world, customer service skills negate the effect of the mood that the employee is in. Most employees in the service industry are not allowed anywhere near the customer without that training. Neither company invests in said training. Would more people use the bus if the drivers were more polite? Who knows, probably not,and lets not forget that driving training alone is considerable and how do you train for a bus load of screaming punk kids on their way from school back to front line conflict in the Honicknowle defence regiment?
What's more is the constant haggling between the companies and the council. The more that is spent on park & rides and maintaining bus lanes then the more the companies feel empowered by the knowledge that the council cannot afford either company to fail.”
by DJANGO6421
Sunday, October 21 2012, 1:00PM
“bring back trams!!!”
by JMonners
Friday, October 19 2012, 8:16PM
“@slobba
I did complain if you read the post properly and the office staff are just as bad as the drivers. The bottom line is both companies have a huge problem with customer service and treat the customers who pay their wages like cattle and with contempt.
Its not for me to do anything about something that shouldnt be happening in the first place, but when I did I was ignored and treated rudely.
It appears you must work for one of the bus companies”
by Oncemore4
Friday, October 19 2012, 7:18PM
“The less buses of the road, the better for the Majority of car drivers.
Dirty inefficient road hogging polluting Dark ages form of transport.
Sooner they are gone the better.”
by ChezGuevara
Friday, October 19 2012, 5:08PM
“@puffingbilly - When the old number 11 service used to run via Union Street to Derriford Hospital, the 0730 hardly ever used to turn up. I contacted First who gave the excuses that they didn't have enough busses for all the routes they had, they didn't have enough drivers, and that the service had to be cancelled that morning as a bus had broken down on another route which was more important.
Considering this service used to pick up staff for the hospital from Torpoint Ferry, what could be less important?
I suggest you stand in Royal Parade about 1630 to 1700 hours and see the lack of punctuality provided by the number 3 service. The 26 seems to cope fine!
First are terrible, their drivers are rude and they need to have their license revoked!”
by olddogbreath
Friday, October 19 2012, 3:58PM
“I think the efficiency deal that First were offering was a lot more than the loss of one day's sick pay. The other offer according to one driver I spoke to today, was 5p an hour.”
by teddybear831
Thursday, October 18 2012, 9:28PM
“1.50 an hour more for citybus WOW!!!!!!!!, maybe you should know that citbus pay deal also included a loss of their attendance bonus (£100 every few months) and from next year possibly not being paid for the first sick day..............................that equates to a lot less than the 1.50 an hour eh???? trouble is the unions citbus have are spineless. a strike is exactly what i think THEY should have done to overcome their new power crazy boss, making ridiculous cuts in the knowledge that the union is not worth the monthly fee they get!! and so he can bring in whatever he wants.”
by knucklehead
Thursday, October 18 2012, 7:58PM
“Almost to a man / woman First Bus drivers are polite.”
by Slobba
Thursday, October 18 2012, 7:31PM
“Is that correct, Citybus drivers are being paid £1.50 an hour more than First drivers, that's £60 a week or £3000 a year. No wonder they are going on strike. if Citybus can pay a living wage why can't the First? Surely someone from First can explain or is that not right?”