As a member of the public, who uses First buses on a daily basis, and a public worker myself. I use and depend on First buses to travel to and from work, at one of South Yorkshires Hospitals. I would like to view my anger and dismay, at once again being inconvenienced by First bus drivers striking over pay. Not only is this becoming an annual event, but I wonder if those drivers involved have ever stopped to think what their striking actually means to those customers loyal to the service, disabled or frail. Customers who create their jobs and help pay their wages, through the subsidisation of the bus services. As a provider of health care to the people of South Yorkshire, a skilled professional who works much longer hours then the reduced 38hr week proposed by first buses. Saving lives on a daily basis, under stressful circumstances. Dealing with abuse and violence daily from the public, and frequent staff shortages, made worse by such strikes. The potencial effects of which can have a conciderable effect on the ability of fellow public workers such as my self, to get into care for, the families of those drivers striking. Many of my colloquies, being on £8.50 or less an hour, the same as is being proposed for First bus drivers, who after all are largely unskilled, providing a less then perfect bus service. How much I wonder of the frequent delays are caused by drivers taking crafty breaks (As witnessed first hand). Somedays Im lucky to get a break at all. Lastly I would like to appeal to those who are striking to think carefully about what they are doing, after all they are getting an above inflation pay rise, and as such will be on substantially more then my relatives who drive for a living. Their jobs ultimately depend on us, the customers using and paying for the service, and perhaps the next time their families need care, their may not be those their, to care for them.
You are doing little more, then losing the support and respect of customers on a daily basis!!
You are doing little more, then losing the support and respect of customers on a daily basis!!
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