Weather
Talks continue in attempt to stop bus strike (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting TANEWS to 80360, or email
Talks continue in attempt to stop bus strike
1:40am Tuesday 9th December 2008
After the first day of emergency talks, bus drivers in Bradford still plan to strike the week before Christmas in a pay dispute.
Union and management of First Bradford today remained locked in negotiations which both sides hope will mean the strike can be called off.
Drivers who work for the company, which runs the majority of the district’s bus routes, voted in favour of strike action last week if their wages were not raised in line with inflation.
An offer of a 3.6 per cent pay rise was rejected by union officials, who said that it effectively represented a pay cut as it was not in line with the current rate of inflation which stands at 4.5 per cent.
The drivers’ union Unite said the bus drivers were expecting to receive a pay rise more than six months ago.
Crisis talks began yesterday and were expected to continue today to avert the strike, which if carried out would affect more than 500 bus services in one of the busiest weeks of the year.
A Unite spokesman said last night: “There was a good reaction to our demands, but essentially there have been no new offers on the table so the three- day strike is still planned.
“We will sit down and have more meetings tomorrow. Our aim was always not to strike if we can come to a resolution we would prefer not to.
“This meeting was called by First Bus and there was a good atmosphere – we are feeling positive.
“They are willing to listen to us and recognise the position of the union.”
A First Bradford spokesman said last night: “Today’s talks with Unite were very encouraging and First will continue to have discussions with the union to bring this matter to a mutually agreeable conclusion.”
The strike is planned for Wednesday, December 17, to Friday, December 19. Further action will be taken if January if the dispute is not resolved.
In the Telegraph & Argus on Saturday it was reported that the Bradford Free City Bus would not be affected. It has now been suggested that as the bus is driven by First staff, it would be affected by a strike.
More News stories
- CCTV set to catch bus lane abusers
- Youths held after four house blazes in two nights
- Arsonists blamed for half of big fires in Bradford
- Keighley museum’s friendly cash plea
- Yacht a great way to see the world!
- ‘Drug dealers face long prison terms’
- Novel by gran, 73, hits the shelves
- Teenager kept ammunition by bed
- Return ticket for Railway Children
- Blow for green belt grammar school plans
Your Say YourBradford
lookout, eccelshill says...
11:12am Tue 9 Dec 08
lw83, Bradford says...
7:42pm Tue 9 Dec 08
Fed Up Up Here, Bfd. says...
1:29pm Wed 10 Dec 08
lw83 wrote:You pay them then if your so keen.
Luckily this isn't the nineteenth century and despite Thatcher's hatchet job on the unions in the 1980s workers are still entitled to some rights. They are going on strike as a last resort because their proposed pay rise isn't in line with inflation and so, in real terms, represents a cut. I use buses and will be affected by said strike but I support the bus drivers 100%.
lw83, Bradford says...
8:50pm Wed 10 Dec 08
Fed Up Up Here wrote:I'm sure First could find the money without my assistance and as they are the ones making a profit from the drivers labour, not me, some eccentrics might feel it is their job to find the money. Drivers are entitled to a rise in line with inflation, it is only fair, and I am sure First could find the money if they tried. Maybe they could cut the salaries of the fat cats at the top and give it to the people who actually do the work at all times of the day and night?
lw83 wrote: Luckily this isn't the nineteenth century and despite Thatcher's hatchet job on the unions in the 1980s workers are still entitled to some rights. They are going on strike as a last resort because their proposed pay rise isn't in line with inflation and so, in real terms, represents a cut. I use buses and will be affected by said strike but I support the bus drivers 100%.You pay them then if your so keen.
stewpot01, says...
10:09am Thu 11 Dec 08
Their actions are disgusting, £10 an hour, what jokers.
Not everyone can afford taxis.
They should think themselves lucky to have a job in the current climate
jambo, bradford says...
2:25pm Thu 11 Dec 08
Your sayYour Bradford
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Bradford Telegraph and Argus account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Bradford.Warrior, Bradford says...
2:04am Tue 9 Dec 08