Unite the bus battles for victories over pay

Bus workers on the Dundee picket line on Monday

Strikes on the buses, a big feature of the pay revolt over the last year, are returning to haunt bosses of the fat cat firms that drain cash from the industry. From Dundee to London, walkouts can win above-inflation deals. It’s up to the workers’ Unite union to bring the struggles together and not to settle for offers that are pay cuts once price rises are taken into account.

Around 200 bus workers employed by Xplore Dundee began a 12-week strike on Monday over pay. Unite union members voted for strikes by 93 percent on an 89 percent turnout.

Those involved are based at the East Dock Street depot and include drivers, duty platform staff, and administrative workers. They rejected an offer of a 7 percent uplift, well below inflation. Bosses were preparing scab buses which need a strong response.

Around 800 First West Yorkshire bus drivers were set to strike from Sunday this week over the company’s refusal to return the date on which new pay rises come into operation back to the pre-pandemic calendar. During Covid, the workers agreed to postpone pay rises from April to October, which boosted the company’s profits.

Now First West Yorkshire has refused to move the date back to April and workers have been left struggling as inflation soared. The workers are based at First West Yorkshire’s two Leeds depots.

Around 360 bus drivers employed by First Manchester have been balloting for pay strikes. Drivers at First Manchester earn less than other bus companies in the area. They are on £13.50 an hour, while Go North West pays £14.37.

The workers have rejected a 7.4 percent pay offer backdated to April with a further 3.4 percent in October. First Group’s 2022 annual report, released last week, showed that operating profits increased by more than £6 million to £227 million. Action would hit First Manchester services in Rochdale, Oldham, Manchester and Ashton.

Around 700 bus drivers employed by Arriva in north London are time-tabled to walk out for 48 hours on Tuesday 20 June. The Unite union members have rejected a 7 percent pay rise—their current starting pay rate is just £13.65 an hour.

Further strikes are set for 27 and 28 June. An indefinite strike would be more effective. The drivers operate from the Ash Grove, Barking, Clapton, Edmonton, Enfield, Palmers Green, Tottenham and Wood Green garages.

• Listen here to Val Roxbrough, the Unite rep at Xplore Dundee bus company explain why the bosses’ deal is not good enough

Thanks to Jim Barlow