CAMPAIGNING FOR THE BUS INDUSTRY

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: may 2010 :: RMTnews RMT bus workers meeting in Bournemouth called on the union to campaign on safety, pay and the renationalisation of the industry. Dave Gilbey South Devon Bus said that too many buses were leaving depots with non or malfunctioning equipment such as demisters, windscreen washers, CCTV and upper deck observation systems. “Any bus and its equipment should be in working order, if it is not fit for purpose it should not leave the depot,” he said. Conference agreed to call on the union to approach the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) with reference to making its documentation for such requirements to be more user friendly in the interests of safety. “We need to simplify the language and be more specific about what systems on the bus need to be more functioning so drivers and mechanics would have clearer guidelines to follow,” he said. Assistant general secretary Mick Cash said that if a vehicle is fitted with equipment it should work. Andy Lister, Southampton No 5 added that the bus safety handbook had not been updated since bus deregulation and privatisation. Conference called on the union to campaign for an updated version to be produced to take into account changes to the industry that have occurred over the last twenty years. Joe Hayes, Salisbury No 3 called on the union to campaign for a change the law so that all buses must be fitted with observation devices which will enable the driver to observe the upper deck at all times and have washers and demisters that are working. “We have a Parliamentary group which has effectively raised a number of issues for the union and we need that kind of profile on this issue,” he said. FIGHTING ON PAY Conference called on the union to initiate a campaign to raise awareness of the low pay and poor conditions in the bus industry. Andy Bradford Exeter No5 said that a high profile campaign was required with publicity, leaflets and education with the help of the union’s Parliamentary group of MPs. He said that often drivers could be on different pay rates even on the same routes. “The low wages are reflected in the very poor retention of workers within the industry,” he said. Mick Cash said that public money was still going into the industry in subsidies which should be used to pay decent pay rates. “We are winning trade union recognition deals in the industry such as at Webberbus. “Recognition deals are important as they stop employers picking off workers by undercutting pay in smaller companies. “We will enter into voluntary recognition deals where possible and push for compulsory deals where necessary,” he said. RMT general secretary Bob Crow outlined how anti-trade union laws were being used to block strike action by RMT members. “Not only are the courts strictly interpreting these laws about requirements by the union to provide information about members, they have also given themselves the right to decide what action is ‘proportional’. “The bottom line is that we will keep punching away because if we don’t then the attacks on jobs and pay will get worse,” he said. RENATIONALISATION Daryl Emberson, Poole and District said that it was time to implement longstanding union policy and campaign for the renationalisation of the bus industry. “If we are going to do something about global warming and get people out of their cars we need a democratically planned bus sector free from the drive for profits,” he said. RMT president Alex Gordon agreed and said that the executive had to look at how to structure such a campaign. “These bus companies are hated by local users due to the rising price of fares and the poor levels of service and now is the time to back bus renationalisation,” he said. He outlined how large transport giants were exploiting the European Union ‘liberalisation’ drive to develop transport monopolies across Europe, dominated by Germany and France. He said that the takeover of transport company Arriva by German state railway Deutsche Bahn was just the latest CAMPAIGNING FOR THE BUS INDUSTRY RMT’s bus workers’ conference calls for campaigns on safety, pay and renationalisation 18 A webcast of this conference is available at www.rmt.org.uk/members