Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘This could escalate’
Bus driver loses appeal while another keeps job
ONE of the bus drivers sacked over alleged comments made about passengers has kept his job, the Tele understands.
The other worker who was dismissed lost his appeal after a hearing with Xplore bosses.
A total of four drivers were reprimanded for breaching the firm’s social media policy, which is said to have left the firm’s workforce “bitterly” disappointed at the company’s decision.
They, along with several others, allegedly made on a group chat on Facebook.
Bosses at the firm launched an investigation.
Following the dismissals of the two workers, an appeal hearing was heard.
A source told the Tele one of the drivers was dismissed, while the other was retained.
The source added: “For a person to lose their job at this time of the year, just weeks before Christmas, over a silly comment on Facebook is unbelievable.”
The source added there are staff at Xplore who were very unhappy at the development and “things could escalate”.
Regional co-ordinating officer Dougie Maguire, of Unite the Union, said: “If the company has heard an appeal and listened to the drivers and stuck with their decision that is a matter for them.
“If a union member is not happy with the union representation they received, they can come to see me with any paperwork or evidence they may have. If someone has breached the company’s policy then it is only right and proper that they are disciplined.
“I’ve spoken with management at Xplore and we do not believe that any members of staff are prepared to take any further action over this matter.”
An Xplore spokeswoman said: “This is an investigation raised following a complaint by a member of the public to our customer services department and is being dealt with according to our internal procedures.”