Sponsored by
Bus strike travel chaos
TRAVEL chaos hit public transport in South Yorkshire today - after First bus company lost an eleventh hour bid to prevent strike action by its drivers.
The firm spent all day yesterday at the High Court in Leeds applying for an injunction against today's walk-out.
But the bid was thrown out, and the firm was refused the right to appeal.
The 24-hour strike action began this morning in a row over pay, bringing First bus routes across Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster to a standstill.
Many regular passengers were forced back into their cars, while others resorted to walking or cycling into work. Buses run by other operators were jam-packed full of commuters.
Scores of angry bus drivers gathered outside the Olive Grove bus depot in Sheffield this morning brandishing placards demanding better pay and conditions.
Unite branch secretary Martin Mayer said similar picket lines had been set up at depots in Rotherham and Doncaster too.
"This strike action is over pay - the company is offering a zero per cent increase which we find completely unacceptable," he said.
"First is a big multi-national company which has recorded record profits, it is paying out dividends on its shares and has just tried to launch a bid for National Express.
"We feel it is perfectly reasonable to ask for a pay increase that helps us keep up with cost of living increases.
"Bus drivers do a difficult job - shift work, long hours, pressures on the roads and having to deal with a minority of people who can be abusive, offensive and at times violent."
David McFarlane, who has been a driver for more than four years, said: "This pay issues shows the blatant disregard the management has for drivers.
"People are actually scared to come to work these days because we are always getting pulled up for something - I was taken off the road for an entire day because I hit a traffic cone for example.
"We are facing more and more pressures for less pay."
Sheffield Chamber of Commerce said the strike would cost the city economy not just in money but in reputation.
"It makes many people's commute more difficult, discourages shoppers and results in increased congestion," said policy and representation manager Helen Rana.
"These factors will all have a negative impact on Sheffield's economy. Public transport is vital for the city to function effectively."
Stagecoach Yorkshire, which operates in Sheffield, Rotherham, the Dearne Valley, Barnsley, Doncaster and Chesterfield put on extra services to cope with increased demand.
Managing director Paul Lynch said: "It is very much business as usual for Stagecoach. We have taken action to put on extra buses on our services in Sheffield to ensure our customers can make their journeys."
First bus drivers are angry bosses claim there is no money for a pay increase when the firm posted profits of 122 million for 2008.
They want a 10 per cent increase in salary, and claim managers have failed to make them a 'fair or satisfactory offer'.
Last ditch talks between members of the bus drivers' union Unite and First managers, organised by industrial mediators Acas, broke down on Wednesday.
First put forward a pay offer of 2.9 per cent which was rejected by the union.
Drivers said the offer was in return for changes to working practices which would mean them relinquishing two bank holidays and not being paid for time spent booking-in for work and checking buses before beginning shifts.
Unite regional organiser Steve Clark said: "The union believes the proposed changes would mean savings for the company above its pay offer of 2.9 per cent.
"Our members have been left with no other choice but to take strike action.
"First Group made 122m in 2008 but there is a group mandate of no pay awards for bus workers. This is unacceptable. Our members are right to expect a reasonable pay increase and the company is wrong to offer nothing to its employees."
Brandon Jones, deputy managing director of First, said: "We have been clear with the union from the outset. Due to the economic recession, which has seen unemployment in the Yorkshire region increase by 13 per cent in the last three months, First has no available extra money to fund a pay increase.
"We are extremely disappointed at the approach taken by Unite."
Got a view? Add your comment below.
Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. To subscribe CLICK HERE
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. To subscribe CLICK HERE
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
