7 Feb 2014

First Hampshire & Dorset will strike again on Monday

Drivers employed by First Hampshire and Dorset have rejected the company's latest pay offer and will go on strike for 24 hours on Monday 10 February, from 4.30am. Services in the Bridport, Portland and Weymouth area will be affected.
Around 60 drivers, who are members of Unite, voted to reject the offer as there were too many strings attached, which would have meant a reduction to their terms and conditions.Unite regional officer Bob Lanning said, "The crux of this dispute is that our members are lagging behind the pay of their counterparts working for other regional bus operators, at a time when household bills are going through the roof."
http://www.itv.com

4 Feb 2014

Hertfordshire: strike threats win improved offer

Bus drivers threatening to strike in and around Welwyn Hatfield have accepted a new pay offer from the University of Hertfordshire. Before Christmas, drivers working for the Uno bus company, which reports to the university board, voted to reject two consecutive pay offers.
With the dispute aggravated by complaints about outdated and over-stretched vehicles, members of Unite were prepared to strike, but they accepted a fresh offer last week.
Regional Unite officer Steve Linger said: “The bus drivers, who number just under 200, have voted overwhelmingly by a margin of 78 per cent to accept the company’s latest offer. There will be no further industrial action... The deal is complicated, but it basically takes the drivers to £12 an hour, with some additional improvements, including a match-funded pension arrangement.”
http://www.whtimes.co.uk