Potential Bus driver strike - First

[Ben_Bruce 0]

What are everyone's thoughts on the possible strike action from First buses?

[soopah 17]

Why can't they adopt the Japanese style of bus service striking?
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/11/no-ticket-to-ride-japanese-bus-drivers-strike-by-giving-free-rides-okayama

[Michael_N 36]

8 minutes ago, Ben_Bruce said:

What are everyone's thoughts on the possible strike action from First buses?

Good on them! Everyone always whinges and moans about how the unions have too much control. If the unions didn't exist we'd all have the bare minimum.

 

For those whinging about how they are paid more than most other sectors - go and join them. They're recruiting now - https://uk.firstgroupcareers.com/vacancy/first-uk-bus-trainee--qualified-bus-drivers---south-yorkshire-9904-uk-bus---south-yorkshire/9933/description/

Just now, soopah said:

Why can't they adopt the Japanese style of bus service striking?
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/11/no-ticket-to-ride-japanese-bus-drivers-strike-by-giving-free-rides-okayama

Because then they would be breaching their contract and therefore likely to be dismissed.

[soopah 17]

1 minute ago, Michael_N said:

Good on them! Everyone always whinges and moans about how the unions have too much control. If the unions didn't exist we'd all have the bare minimum.

 

For those whinging about how they are paid more than most other sectors - go and join them. They're recruiting now - https://uk.firstgroupcareers.com/vacancy/first-uk-bus-trainee--qualified-bus-drivers---south-yorkshire-9904-uk-bus---south-yorkshire/9933/description/

Because then they would be breaching their contract and therefore likely to be dismissed.

And not working/striking isn't?

 

It's all well and good striking, but if you're affecting the people who rely on the service, you're not going to win them round to your cause.

Edited May 13, 2019 by soopah

[Michael_N 36]

3 minutes ago, soopah said:

And not working/striking isn't?

 

It's all well and good striking, but if you're affecting the people who rely on the service, you're not going to win them round to your cause.

You're covered with union action/striking. While it would make more sense to follow the Japanese style (burn their fuel, keep passengers happy/able to travel to work/leisure etc.) - current legislation and UK Law don't allow this.

[Ben_Bruce 0]

That's an interesting point, but what about those people who rely heavily on buses to get around? 

 

 

Edited May 13, 2019 by Ben_Bruce

[ormester 11]

Get I the real world unite all they do is try and strike  and cause trouble remember the last strike wasn't there something like any more strikes and first would lose the contract? 

[Michael_N 36]

39 minutes ago, ormester said:

Get I the real world unite all they do is try and strike  and cause trouble remember the last strike wasn't there something like any more strikes and first would lose the contract? 

First is a commercial business and although owned by First Group on the whole, each individual operating company has to make a profit as a business in its own right. First SY are losing around £2.5million per year, this has reduced in the last year from £5.5million thanks to cut backs to routes/services/vehicles and also the closure of the Midland Road depot in Rotherham.

 

Sadly, due to the current business structure and pension deficit - unless things drastically change I can see First SY going the same way as the Manchester operation and being split/place for sale. Manchester (Queens Road) will transfer over to Go Ahead from 2 June 2019. Whether if this is a good thing or not remains to be seen.

 

Also worth pointing out Unite are generally more relaxed - unlike RMT.

Edited May 13, 2019 by Michael_N

[spilldig 188]

Whatever, but it's worth bearing in mind that First South Yorkshire have had continous vacancies for drivers since day one, so it could be said that they are not treating thier staff well enough anyway.

[Guest busdriver1]

On 13/05/2019 at 13:52, spilldig said:

Whatever, but it's worth bearing in mind that First South Yorkshire have had continous vacancies for drivers since day one, so it could be said that they are not treating thier staff well enough anyway.

Or maybe they are not vetting applicants properly first.  There are plenty staff there who come in, do their job well and go home and have done for years.

Edited May 15, 2019 by busdriver1

[Eccy Beach 11]

On 13/05/2019 at 11:43, soopah said:

And not working/striking isn't?

 

It's all well and good striking, but if you're affecting the people who rely on the service, you're not going to win them round to your cause.

I though the recent climate change protesters may have overstepped the mark and lost support for what lots of people would agree is a good cause, but evidence suggest support for them increased despite the disruption they caused. If the argument is valid I think the public are more forgiving of industrial action or other forms of protest than lots of people think.

[spilldig 188]

3 hours ago, busdriver1 said:

Or maybe they are not vetting applicants properly first.  There are plenty staff there who come in, do their job well and go home and have done for years.

Not enough, apparently.