Drivers threaten strike action over bus ‘spies’ policy
Nearly 200 bus drivers are threatening to strike over management plans to plant ‘spies’ on board to check on their driving and manners.
Arriva Southern Counties wants to introduce a scheme to put independent strangers on buses to help raise awareness of driving ability and customer care.
The bus operator has used the Driver Quality Monitoring policy and procedure in other parts of the country for more than 10 years.
Members of the Unite union in the southern region, which covers Maidstone and Medway, have taken part in a consultative ballot to gauge feeling about taking industrial action.
The turnout out at seven depots, including Maidstone and Gillingham, has been between 80% and 90% and the number in favour of a walkout could be as high as 95%, according to Unite spokesman Dave Weeks.
Mr Weeks said: “We are quite happy to go along with it in principle. But what we do have an issue with is what are the required standards being asked of us? What are we being judged on?
“We have never really had any customer service training unlike in other areas.
“All our drivers are licensed to drive buses, but are they looking for an advanced stage which might require more training?”
“We are essentially being spied upon and we have not been told of the implications.
“Presumably it could lead to disciplinary hearings.”
An Arriva spokesman said: “There are some members of the union that do have concerns over the policy which we are working through at the moment with them.
“All drivers do get basic customer care training as part of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence and this gets refreshed periodically on an ongoing basis as part of the certification.
“This initiative is part of our drive towards making the bus a real option for people who these days demand the highest customer care for their money and we hope to persuade the union this is beneficial to all parties, especially customers.”
Monitoring and training company Pride said the exercise enables it to guarantee an independent and impartial assessment.
Drivers who achieved high standards could be rewarded, it said, while those found lacking could be dealt with appropriately by other means such as extra training.