War of words as bus staff ready to strike
STAGECOACH: ACTION ‘SHAMELESS’/RMT: ‘WE WANT DEAL’
RMT union members plan to strike at Stagecoach’s Mansfield and Worksop bus depot over a pay dispute this summer.
The action is set to take place on July 26 and August 2, 9 and 16.
Stagecoach East Midlands has criticised the industrial action, calling it a “shameless attack on bus passengers”.
The depot employs 320 drivers and engineers who have been offered a two-year deal from Stagecoach.
The deal would give them a 13.2 per cent pay increase, with a 9.7 per cent uplift in the first 12 months.
Three offers have been put forward to the RMT, all of which have been rejected
Stagecoach say union members have not been allowed to vote on any of the offers, while RMT says members would not accept such a deal.
Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “The RMT’S planned strike action is a shameless attack on bus passengers, which will disrupt people trying to get to work and access vital public services, as well as damaging local businesses.
“The fact is that, even in these difficult times, we have offered a substantial pay increase which would give our people a rise of close to 10 per cent within 12 months, with further rises the next year. They would also continue to benefit from good holiday entitlement, pension and other benefits.
“We have now made three separate offers to the union, none of which have been put to a democratic vote by RMT members. Local people will be questioning why their vital bus services are being needlessly disrupted when employees have been denied a voice on our proposals.
“We are absolutely committed to securing the best deal possible for our people, while also protecting the future sustainability of the bus network. We remain open for talks, which is the only route to reaching agreement and securing improved pay for our people. We would urge the union to return to talks so we can deliver a deal that is in the best interests of everyone without damaging disruption to our local communities.”
But Gary Jackson, RMT regional organiser for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, who also has responsibilities with Stagecoach East Midlands, said the union had been in negotiations with Stagecoach for months.
He has helped strike deals in other Stagecoach garages, where members were happy.
Mr Jackson said: “We are just asking for the same at Mansfield and Worksop and the company has refused to give us it. I think our members have decided to take strike action because they want to better their pay.
“Bus drivers are not paid very well at all. They are key workers and deserve a decent pay rise. We want a one-year deal and the company are insistent on giving us a two-year deal. Our members do not want that. “It’s quite interesting that they have said we have not let the members have a say – well, that is just a lie. We have got a branch structure and we have been given a clear mandate by the members from the branch at Mansfield and Worksop what they want.
“Until we reach that point, there is no point in putting it out to the members for a referendum.”
He said RMT members at Mansfield and Worksop were asking for a one- year deal. They want a 9.6 percent rise over 12 months – such as the one in place with Stagecoach at Chesterfield.
M r Jackson added:
“We do not see that it’s right that our members in the second year of pay will end up with 3.6 per cent, because that is what it is going to be if we accept that deal. We can call the action off tomorrow if the manager wants to meet me and do that deal I am more than happy to.
“I think what we have seen in this country is that we are seeing how the cost of living crisis is affecting everybody. Bus workers, a lot of them are only on just above minimum wage, so these people are taking a massive gamble by taking industrial action because they want to better themselves.
“I have not heard anything from the managing director in over twoand-a-half weeks. If he is serious about there being more talks, then I am happy to meet him any time, anywhere to get it done.
“I am a little bit shocked about the language used by Stagecoach. It is not an attack on bus passengers. Our members are trying to get themselves a better pay rise. It is not an attack to take industrial action. I think the language Stagecoach have used is well off the mark and they should be disgraced in themselves if I am honest.”
A Stagecoach spokesperson said: “We are disappointed in the RMT’S planned strike action, which will inevitably have an impact on local people and their ability to access vital services in Mansfield and Worksop. We will keep our passengers updated on affected services.”
We can call the action off tomorrow if the manager wants to meet me
Gary Jackson, RMT