Unite in talks over Blackpool bus drivers suspended for allegedly
being obese
15 October 2010
Unite will hold talks with Blackpool Transport on Monday (18
October) in a bid to resolve the case of two bus drivers
suspended for allegedly being too obese to work.
And Unite, the largest union in the country, has warned that if
the men are not reinstated, steps will be taken to have an
industrial action ballot of its 400 members working for Blackpool
Transport.
John Boughton, Unite regional organiser, said : ”We are hoping
to resolve this sensitive matter when we have the meeting with
management on Monday. We will be asking for the two drivers to be
reinstated immediately.
”If this does not happen, the Unite membership will have a
consultative ballot on whether to take industrial action. Our
members are very angry at what has happened.
”There are currently two men suspended, with full pay, who have
been told they need to lose 7lbs in the next four weeks.
”And then they face a period of up to 12 months unpaid
suspension to lose an unspecified amount of further weight.”
Blackpool Transport is an arm’s length body of the
Conservative-controlled Blackpool borough council and provides
services for the Fylde Coast.
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
Unite will not be making any further comment on this dispute
until after Monday afternoon’s meeting.
For further information, please ring Unite Communications
officer, Shaun Noble, on 07768 693940.
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