Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/695/13220
From The Socialist newspaper, 23 November 2011
Bus drivers strike over pay
South Yorkshire bus drivers, members of Unite the union, took strike action on 18 and 21 November. Many pickets were out all day on both days at the Barnsley and Rawmarsh (Rotherham) depots.
The 340 Stagecoach drivers, currently on £8.57 an hour, are fighting for a £9 an hour pay rate, to bring them in line with Stagecoach drivers in Sheffield.
The new deal should have started in April but negotiations have dragged on and on.
In fact, Unite branch secretary Harry Foss told me: "The manager here (Rawmarsh) doesn't negotiate. He just says take it or leave it! We were even willing to forgo our back pay to help fund £9 an hour but then he insisted on a two-year deal. With at least 5% inflation, we'd have fallen further behind again."
A strong mood on the picket line was reinforced by loads of honking horns in support on a busy main road.
More strikes are planned for 2 and 3 December if the company doesn't agree to £9 an hour in a one year deal.
Alistair Tice
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 23 November 2011:
Pensions' strike, N30
Enough is enough! Make N30 the start of a fight to stop all cuts
Socialist Party feature
Capitalism is crisis - there is an alternative - fight for socialism!
Socialist Party news and analysis
Con-Dems worsen the housing crisis
Massive job cuts undermining NHS
Millions unemployed - workers and students must unite and fight!
The Socialist - Readers' comments
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Jarrow marchers put forward an alternative
No answers from politicians on Newsnight
Support the anti-cuts election challenge
State intimidation of young protesters
Tories and Labour fail to give 'Any Answers'
Women: sick of sexism, discrimination and cuts?
Mansfield - build houses, create jobs
Pensions protest in Maude's constituency
International socialist news and analysis
Why Europe's capitalist leaders cannot save the floundering eurozone project
Ruling PSOE battered in Spanish general election
Syria: Eight months of mass protests met with bloody brutality
Egyptian masses fight for real change
Socialist Party workplace news
Greece and Italy get unelected technocrats - Southampton gets chief executives!
Construction workers fight pay cuts
Obituary
Home | The Socialist 23 November 2011 | Join the Socialist Party
Join us today!
Printable version
email to friend
