Thousands of livelihoods at stake as London bus company goes up for
sale
10 June 2010
Unite, the UK’s largest union, has today (Thursday) made clear
that the current situation facing the East London Bus Group must
not impact detrimentally on its 4,500 members.
The giant bus company which runs routes in east London, south
east London and central London has announced that it will be
selling up, as it is facing huge losses.
Unite is concerned that the proposed sale will mean potential
job losses, a reduction in services in the city and could lead to a
number of routes lost, affecting the travelling public.
Unite is prepared to listen to the company's plan for moving out
of the chaos it finds itself in, but 630 Unite members made clear
at a mass meeting that they would not be prepared to accept the
significant wage cuts and attacks on terms and conditions that the
East London Bus Group is demanding.
Unite regional officer, John Griffiths, said: “This is the
result of the mayor's tendering policies in the London bus market
which is leading to an accelerated and ugly race to the bottom.
“Our members carry millions of passengers everyday and keep this
city moving. Why should they be penalised as a result of this
anarchic system, and by an operator that has made a fast buck, and
is now bailing out.
“Our huge fear is for the many thousands of loyal workers at the
the East London Bus Group and Unite is calling for a swift
resolution to end the uncertainty that our members face.”
Unite is now seeking urgent meetings with Transport for London
to seek assurances that jobs and terms and conditions will be
preserved.
The East London Bus Group was acquired from Stagecoach by a
consortium led by Australian investment bank Macquarie.
ENDS
For further information contact John Griffiths on 07739 921594
or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 7420 8914 or
07980 224761
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