FIRST SOUTH WEST BUS WORKERS BACK STRIKE ACTION

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2024 :: RMTnews 6 RMT members at First South West bus company, part of the First Group, operating services in Somerset and Cornwall have voted overwhelmingly for strike action against low pay. Over 300 RMT members took part after extensive negotiations with the company, failed to yield an acceptable offer. As a result, First South West members will now take planned strike action for 48 hours. Despite numerous meetings, including sessions facilitated by ACAS, First South West's proposals were overwhelmingly rejected in a member referendum. The company's latest offer was deemed insufficient, particularly in light of First Group's recent profit announcements. Welcoming the strong ballot result, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, said that members had sent a clear message to First South West that they will not accept being amongst the lowest paid transport workers in the region. "The company's offer to hard-working staff is particularly insulting given the huge payouts given to First Group boss Graham Sutherland. "If First Group can find £800k in bonuses for top management, they can find money for bus workers,” he said. First South West has also announced plans to close its Helston depot in Cornwall as part of its cost-cutting plans and transferring staff to Penzance and Falmouth depots. A First South West worker said: "Management are using the closure of Helston to coerce staff into accepting 65p an hour more or threaten them with more closures". RMT assistant general secretary Eddie Dempsey called on First South West to return to the negotiating table “with a meaningful offer that reflects the dedication and hard work of our members". RMT has slammed transport giant First Group for profiteering from privatised rail and bus services across the country and recommending an increase in dividends of nearly 50 per cent. First Group’s financial results for the year ending March 2024 state that there has been a ‘significant increase’ in Group operating profit to £204 million – up 27 per cent from £161 million last year. First group operates bus and rail services including Avanti West Coast – which has continued to be beset with problems during the last year, with Transport for the North calling for the contract to be terminated in March. A final dividend per share of 4p recommended – brings total year dividend to 5.5p per share a 45 per cent increase compared to last year. If agreed by the AGM, the final dividends totalling £24 million will be paid in August. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the fact that First Group has continued to profit whilst passengers are faced with disruption and poor services shows why our public transport services need to be brought into public ownership. “We need a single, integrated, publicly owned rail network, and a reversal of the ban on municipal bus companies so that our public transport networks work for passengers and communities, not profit,” he said. FIRST SOUTH WEST BUS WORKERS BACK STRIKE ACTION Bus company announces closure of depot in Cornwall as part of cost-cutting plans RMT SLAMS FIRST DIVIDENDS BONANZA Transport giant First Group to hand out £24 million to shareholders while holding down pay for workforce