BLUESTAR BUSES ACTION

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2019 :: RMTnews 6 R MT members have taken 24- hour action on Bluestar Buses in Eastleigh, Totton and Poole, after staff voted by an overwhelming nearly 90 per cent in favour of striking over pay. Following a rejection of pay proposals by the company members have also been instructed not to work any overtime and not to work on their rest days over the contracted 40 hours for one week commencing from July 28. During talks, the union had proposed, based upon members feedback, a single year offer of£11.50 per hour, an overtime rate introduced for all hours above 40 on the basis of a maximum of eight hours (48 hours overall) and back pay recognition based on the hourly rate of £11.50. However, this proposal was rejected by management. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that members on Bluestar Buses had delivered a massive vote in favour of strike action in their dispute over pay. “Once the company had seen the determination of our members to be rewarded properly for the work that they do, it should have got back round the table with a realistic proposal to settle the dispute. "But it is clear that the company would rather throw money at breaking the strike than make a reasonable settlement with RMT. Bus drivers at Bluestar are typically expected to work excessive hours at an average of 50 per week including at least one fixed rota at 57 hour without enhanced payments being made even though they are contracted for 40 hours only. “It is because of those kind of abuses that we are demanding fair pay and workplace justice for Bluestar workers,” he said. T he House of Commons Transport Committee recently backed RMT's call for bus driver hours to be limited as part of its response to its enquiry into ‘The Health of the Bus Market’. The RMT response to the inquiry highlighted the urgent need to tackle low pay and long hours in the industry, which are is not subject to the same regulations as long distance drivers. RMT bus worker members completed a union survey about their experiences of working in the industry which formed an important part of the union’s response to a Transport Committee enquiry. The key message from the survey was that local bus services were in decline because they are run for private profit and not as a public service. Findings included: • 84 per cent of bus workers think bus services should be publicly owned. • 76 per cent of bus workers did not think there was enough funding for bus services. • 80 per cent were unaware of any government policies that support and protect bus services. Five private companies, Stagecoach, Arriva, Go Ahead, National Express and First Group, control around 70 per cent of the bus market. In 2017/18, private bus companies profited nearly £3.5 billion in passenger fares and government subsidy. Transport for Quality of Life has estimated that about £2.8 billion has been paid in dividends by bus companies over a 10 year period. RMT response to the inquiry also set out that there should be a national bus strategy. The government should provide sufficient ring-fenced national funding for local authorities to run the services their area needs via a municipally owned company. This would allow buses to be run as a public service, rather than for private profit. The Transport Committee report stated that 'we are concerned that recruitment and retention in the bus industry is hampered by long hours and poor pay' and recommended that the government consult on amending legislation as proposed in a private members Bill, tabled by Matt Western MP, which is seeking to limit local bus driver hours and increase breaks to the same levels as those for long distance drivers, with no detriment to pay. Matt Western tabled the Bill following a tragic bus accident in Coventry in 2015 in which two people, including a seven year old boy were killed. The bus driver involved in the accident had worked 72 hours per week on average in the month before the accident. The report also backed RMT demands for a national forum and discussions involving the unions and employers to address long pay, recruitment, and safety. Early Day Motion 2458 has also been tabled in parliament by MPs supportive of the campaign. MT members have taken 24- hour action on Bluestar Buses in Eastleigh, Totton and week commencing from July 28. y During talks, the union had proposed, based upon members Cash said that members on Bluestar Buses had delivered a massive vote in fa f vour of strike than make a reasonable settlement with RMT. Bus drivers at Bluestar are ty t pically BLUESTAR BUSES ACTION MPS BACK RMT DEMANDS TO CUT UNSAFE LONG BUS HOURS