Bus drivers: ‘We are getting abuse for not striking’
BUS drivers who have chosen to work through eight weeks of strike action claim they have been subjected to a campaign of ‘abuse and intimidation’ by ‘union activists.’
The alleged abuse is said to include criminal damage to the homes and cars of bus drivers, obstruction, missiles thrown at buses, verbal and online abuse and harassment to drivers’ families.
Unite the union says it has seen no evidence that members are responsible for the alleged activities and would condemn any lawless act if a member was found to be involved. Around 300 drivers are striking in the dispute over pay and conditions at Go North West, which runs 16 routes, mostly in north Manchester.
Meanwhile, 130 drivers have chosen to cross the picket line to continue working alongside sub-contractors to boost the workforce.
Go North West claims it has logged more than 35 incidents of ‘abusive and intimidatory behaviour’ towards drivers and their families over a six-week period, many of which they say have been reported to Greater Manchester Police.
Calling on ‘activists’ to conduct themselves with ‘respect and restraint,’ they say incidents have included:
■ A physical assault on the operator of a number 17 bus by activists shouting verbal abuse about the strike
■ The partner of a driver was followed to work by a motorcyclist who subjected her to verbal abuse of a sexual nature and abused her about her partner working
■ Abusive graffiti was daubed over the front door at the home of a working driver, with the driver’s garden gate forced open
■ A driver’s private car was covered in white gloss paint, and the windscreen wipers were broken
■ Eggs and rocks have been thrown at buses, windows have been smashed and nails and screws have been left on the road outside the depot.
Dad-of-three Matthew Doe, 37, a bus driver who is among those complaining about intimidation, says his image has been doctored to appear on fake Twitter accounts with abusive messages, including being labelled a ‘scab.’
He added: “I think I was followed home the other night. I’m getting the flak mainly because I’m sticking up for the people being bullied. We have one woman who has to work because her husband is severely ill.”
Unite says the company wants to fire and rehire its drivers and force them to work longer for no additional pay, while also cutting sick pay for drivers with more than five years’ service.
Go North West have disputed the ‘misleading’ claims, with bosses saying that they had made a ‘strong’ offer to employees. The firm has also said that the changes would secure 600 jobs at the Queens Road depot in Cheetham Hill.