Unite confirms Essex bus drivers set to strike
8th October 2009
Unite members working for First Bus across Essex will take part
in a 24 hour strike in a row over annual pay rises this coming
Monday (12th October 2009).
This follows First Group's imposition of a zero per cent pay
deal. Unite is accusing First Group, of which First Bus is its
Essex subsidiary, of using the recession as ‘an excuse to freeze
pay’ on the back of the company posting an annual profit of £134
million.
Bus drivers in Chelmsford, Colchester, Braintree, Clacton,
Harwich, Basildon and Hadleigh are set to start a series of 24 hour
strikes beginning at 3am on Monday, 12th October, 2009. Subsequent
walkouts have been planned for Monday, 26th October, Monday, 9th
November, and Monday, 23rd November. All bus routes from these
garages will be affected.
Talks with ACAS have failed to resolve the dispute. However,
Unite is prepared to speak with First Bus at any time to resolve
the dispute.
Steve Linger, Unite regional industrial organiser, said: “These
workers are already struggling in the recession to support their
families. They need support from their employer and this insulting
zero per cent pay offer is simply not acceptable
“This decision to impose a pay freeze is based on greed. First
Group made millions of pounds in profit this year, despite the
recession, yet are refusing to play fair by the very employees who
helped deliver these profits.
“This dispute could be resolved if the company returns to the
negotiating table with a reasonable offer.”
The strike action follows an overwhelming yes vote. Unite has
two bargaining groups and the north Essex group voted 84.6 percent
in favour of strike action and the south Essex group voted 95.2
percent in favour.
First Group is facing industrial action at a number of garages
around England as a consequence of its zero percent pay policy.
ENDS
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