Plymouth buses will be hit by strike action on Friday

“Can they make the strike last a week or even a month ? These slow lumbering black smoke things cause more nuisance than what they are worth . It will be a pleasure to drive around tomorow without these things getting in my way . I just wish it was for longer . Whats the guarantee that the headlines will say that traffic actualy improved on that day and less polution ?”

“Glad to see RMT union drivers showing such solid opposition to the terms offered by First.

The substantive rate of pay for First Devon & Cornwall Bus Drivers to increase to £8.75 basic hourly rate and £9.98 overtime rate, effective April 2013.

This equates to an annual pay rise of less than 1% in year one and less than 2.6% in year two.

The company is also trying to split New Drivers from Old, with differential pay and conditions. This is surely unfair; workers should be treated equally for doing the same job.

FDC are trying to impose new working conditions in which drivers will have to work flexible rosters from 37-45 hours per week with 2 unpaid breaks in each duty, and no maximum unpaid time. They will get no sick pay in first 2 years, and lose the first 3 days of any period of sickness during years 3 to 5.

This will play havoc with the ability to lead a family life. Working people like myself who use public transport must give a vote of thanks to these people who allow us to get about without the use of expensive and environmentally destructive private cars.

I for one will be standing in solidarity with the men and women who drive me to work and allow me to lead a social life.”

“All bus drivers are smelly!”

“Just think of the environmental benefits for our city, no smelly diesel buses clogging up the roads, with other traffic flowing and all those lazy people getting some exercise for a change. How fantastic is that.”

“Ah good no buses clogging up the city and Royal Parade freed from looking a formula 1 pit lane”

“good job i can walk to work but what about all the people who cant .they will have to pay taxi to work and home. expensive day. taxi firms loving it friday then.”

“DEAR BOSS, PLZ CAN I HAS MORE PAY TO COVER WHEN I ARE WALKING TO WORK BECAUSE THE BUS DRIVE GETS PAID FOR IT AND THEN GO ON STRIKE WHEN THEIR TOLD NO”

“This headline is particularly misleading. Here at Plymouth Citybus, we have been inundated with calls and e-mails from worried passengers. We would like to make it clear that our staff are not striking tomorrow. Many thanks - Plymouth Citybus.”

“Not so sure the wages are kept low for the reasons you mentioned "olddogbreath" the wages have always been miles behind city bus. You could have something regarding the sale, this isn't the first time I have heard this mentioned. That first might pull back to bristol, they have already dumped cornwall. Although its not only city bus out there providing bus routes, Target Travel are an up and coming bus service and from what I hear although smaller than city bus and first, a good a fair employer.
If the sale of the company is on the cards, it wont be long before that the sackings (dismissals) will begin....”

“Interesting point sasone2one,
The more that one reads the comments by this Chrissie Bainbridge (is that male or female~ the latter I guess), the more one has to be negative towards the resolution of this dispute.
Someone suggested today that the company may be for sale and keeping wages low, along with getting into a fight with the union (drivers) is one way of making it more saleable.
I suppose we will have to wait and see, but it is interesting how Citybus are moving in on First 'territory' pretty fast, so perhaps your comments are not so far from reality. Pity the poor employees being goaded into a fight, which they cannot win, poorly advised by their Union no doubt.”