Hundreds of Merseyside bus drivers have voted to strike during one of Liverpool’s busiest weekends. The walkout over pay is threatening to hit one in five of the city’s buses during the Mathew Street Festival.
Stagecoach drivers have announced a four-day walkout. The company employs more than 360 drivers, most of whom are members of the union Unite, which is orchestrating the action. They will stop working today and will not return until Tuesday next week.
Stagecoach plans to draft in more than 100 extra drivers and vehicles to handle the fallout. The dispute erupted over a pay increase. Stagecoach offered 2%, but the drivers are understood to have demanded 3%.
http://www.maghullstar.co.uk/maghull-aintree-news/maghull-aintree-news/2010/08/26/four-day-stagecoach-bus-driver-strike-could-hit-mathew-street-festival-104897-27128246/
27 Aug 2010
18 Aug 2010
Metroline pay freeze rejected
Workers at Metroline bus company in north London have rejected a pay freeze. In a consultative ballot last Friday workers voted against the pay deal by 1458 votes to 32 - a 98 percent rejection. The workers’ Unite union should move immediately to sanction a ballot for hard hitting strikes.
17 Aug 2010
Strike epidemic in South Africa
Gauteng province, South Africa
Gautrain bus drivers embarked on an illegal strike today, related to wage demands – joining public servants and automotive industry workers who have already downed tools earlier this month. The Gautrain operator, Bombela, said “The strike came without notice and in spite of an industry-wide wage agreement established earlier this year.”
The province experienced another wildcat strike by drivers last week, at Tshwane.
16 Aug 2010
Drivers take on corrupt management
Tshwane, South Africa
About 114 of the city's 285 bus drivers went on strike last Wednesday, halting the bus service, and reducing it to operations of only 58 percent on Thursday.
The Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) spokesman Vincent Vena said the strike emanated from allegations of corruption against managers in the department of transport and that no action had been taken against them.
He confirmed the strike was illegal and said it was caused by the "frustration" of workers.
National spokesman for Samwu, Tahir Sema, said the issue of corruption had been ongoing and the unions had raised it with managers numerous times. "Workers are taking the issue of corruption very seriously. Unions have exhausted every avenue [to get this] issue sorted... but to no avail".
The Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) spokesman Vincent Vena said the strike emanated from allegations of corruption against managers in the department of transport and that no action had been taken against them.
He confirmed the strike was illegal and said it was caused by the "frustration" of workers.
National spokesman for Samwu, Tahir Sema, said the issue of corruption had been ongoing and the unions had raised it with managers numerous times. "Workers are taking the issue of corruption very seriously. Unions have exhausted every avenue [to get this] issue sorted... but to no avail".
12 Aug 2010
Possible buyers for East London Bus Group
We're still not sure who is going to buy ELBG from Macquarie, but for a lot of (informed) speculation, take a look at this forum:
http://dartslf.com/forum
http://dartslf.com/forum
11 Aug 2010
Reject pay freeze at Metroline Bus
Bus workers at Metroline in north and north west London were set to vote on a pay freeze on Friday of this week.
The pay freeze “offer” also includes an attack on the safe driving bonus workers receive annually if they have no “blameworthy” accidents during the preceding year. The consultative ballot takes place across all Metroline garages. If workers reject the deal, the Unite union should organise an immediate ballot for hard hitting strike action.
The pay freeze “offer” also includes an attack on the safe driving bonus workers receive annually if they have no “blameworthy” accidents during the preceding year. The consultative ballot takes place across all Metroline garages. If workers reject the deal, the Unite union should organise an immediate ballot for hard hitting strike action.
Drive for unity at Holloway bus garage
Bus drivers in Holloway, north London, held a Ramadan celebration on Friday of last week.
Unite union rep Paul Brandon said “It is a completely self-organised initiative from the drivers. “There is a large Muslim community at the garage who are keen to promote understanding of Islam to their non-Muslim colleagues. “The success of the event shows how we can find new ways to tackle those who wish to divide through ignorance and hate.”
Unite union rep Paul Brandon said “It is a completely self-organised initiative from the drivers. “There is a large Muslim community at the garage who are keen to promote understanding of Islam to their non-Muslim colleagues. “The success of the event shows how we can find new ways to tackle those who wish to divide through ignorance and hate.”
9 Aug 2010
Hong Kong: coordinated action across four companies
Drivers at four bus companies will strike and protest for higher pay today. The action involves drivers from New World First Bus, Citybus, KMB and Long Win Bus.
"We are forced by the company, which generated HK$680 million in profit last year, to express discontent at the unreasonable salary rise," said KMB Union chairman Kwok Wai-kwong. The company offered a 1.8 percent pay rise and the unions asked for 2.2 percent, plus an extra month's bonus.
"We are forced by the company, which generated HK$680 million in profit last year, to express discontent at the unreasonable salary rise," said KMB Union chairman Kwok Wai-kwong. The company offered a 1.8 percent pay rise and the unions asked for 2.2 percent, plus an extra month's bonus.
Twenty Kowloon Motor Bus drivers began a sit-in outside the company's head office in Cheung Sha Wan yesterday to press their demands. Other KMB drivers said they will show their solidarity by spending 10 to 15 seconds at all bus stops for all 280 routes today. Kwok estimates this will increase a one-hour ride by 10 minutes.
At New World First Bus, about half of the 1,600 drivers will hold a one-day strike and stage a sit-in at its bus depot headquarters.
At New World First Bus, about half of the 1,600 drivers will hold a one-day strike and stage a sit-in at its bus depot headquarters.
Meanwhile, about 500 Citybus drivers will work to rule - driving on the left-hand side of the road and not overtaking any vehicles.
Essex strike suspended
The strike in north Essex has been called off by union bosses. The Unite union had called on its First East England drivers based at Colchester, Clacton, Harwich, Braintree and Chelmsford to strike today. But following a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Unite agreed to suspend the action, with further talks set to take place over the next few weeks.
4 Aug 2010
Bus workers in Essex take action
Drivers and engineers at First Bus in Essex are set to strike on Monday of next week. Drivers at depots in Colchester, Clacton, Harwich, Braintree and Chelmsford and elsewhere will strike over terms and conditions.
Engineers will take strike action at the same time over pay. First Bus drivers in Essex struck at the end of last year over pay.
The workers’ Unite union has raised concerns about terms and conditions for existing and new staff that were not included within the agreement that ended the pay dispute.
Engineers will take strike action at the same time over pay. First Bus drivers in Essex struck at the end of last year over pay.
The workers’ Unite union has raised concerns about terms and conditions for existing and new staff that were not included within the agreement that ended the pay dispute.
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