Update 10 August: After 21 days out, the longest bus strike for 30 years is over, see victory after 21 days.
A significant all out strike is under way by 800 bus drivers employed by First Bus, a major multinational with annual profits in excess of £160m, the strike has been solid as it goes into its second week.
Drivers are striking for a 40 hour week, a reduction of the maximum hours a day to eight-and-a-half hours and a quicker increase in pay for 'starter rate' drivers, who currently have to wait three and a half years to earn more than £5.85 an hour! Steve Clark, the regional organiser for the TGWU, says "Clearly we are in for the long haul".
Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 Photos: 1 | 2
LabourNet: 1 | 2 | 3 | photos
Background info: TGWU | last years strike
Buses in the depot
First Bus have already backed down on threats to use managers as scab labour after trade union solidarity actions across the country and hostile local press coverage. There have however been some suggestions that an all out strike unnecessarily impacts the public, compared to for instance running the buses as normal but not charging fares, which would solely hit First Bus.
On Sunday 25th, First Bus rejected the drivers' final bid to end the dispute and all talks have broken down. Drivers are paid 10 days in arrears so the first pay packet that is threatened is Tuesday 10th August. The TGWU has made an urgent plea for financial assistance and solidarity: "Dear Friends, Bothers & Sisters, fellow trade unionists and supporters everywhere! We need your support in any way you can!"
Comments
Hide the following 6 comments
real news
26.07.2004 17:01
this is real news mate
screw the lousy BBC and the rrest of the press who don't seem to give a damn.
Tony Granger
Thanks, but . . .
26.07.2004 19:46
Good luck to the strikers, First Bus sound like right bastards.
Tom
features list for uk stuff, local lists for local stuff...
26.07.2004 22:35
Chris
some bus drivers
28.07.2004 12:09
there was a time when buses in sheffield were clean, drivers helpful and polite.. we can dream of the good old days.. but we need to deal with the reality.. jan wilson and new labour have run with the lack of service from first maineline.. pointed out some intresting facts.. lets hope this srike gets better conditions for drivers and passengers alike.. it aint nice having to avoid the dried puke not cleaned from the prevous night at nine in the morning..
if we are going to place and end to global warming and the loss of over 10 thousand plus animal and plant life in the next ten years.. then real start is public transport.. yes they're being a little selfish.. but here we have the opportunity to educate drivers and the wider public about the rape of mother earth.. that's why i support them.. that's why i suffer the massive inconveniance this strike has caused me..
see the rest of the debate here
mozaz
mozaz
Why does Doncaster get mentioned on TV coverage
04.08.2004 13:55
Brenda Veiter
UPDATE
10.08.2004 09:28
Tom