Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/738/15532
From The Socialist newspaper, 17 October 2012
We need shorter hours!
Barry Andrews, London bus driver
As a new driver I remember being asked by the man behind the counter: "Are you resting tomorrow?" I answered "Yes".
I was puzzled when the supervisor responded "Do you want a rest day?" I thought I'd just told him I'd got the day off.
It took me a while to understand that in the Orwellian language of the bus garage "do you want a rest day?" means would I like to work on my rest day! Offering a driver a "rest day" is seen as doing them a favour.
Bus driving is still one of the highest paid regular jobs in the capital that many unskilled manual workers can hope to get.
That is partly because of the unsocial hours we are expected to drive. Early jobs start before 5am, late duties may finish after 1 or 2am. And they call us day drivers!
People of all backgrounds and nationalities are drawn into the job. With debts, young families to support and some struggling with mortgages it's not surprising that most of us work overtime.
Many drivers work six and seven days alternately. The law says bus and coach drivers can't work more than thirteen days in a row.
Usually plenty of "rest days" are available especially over the summer holiday period when some drivers are away.
I have seen drivers pleading with supervisors behind the counter to give them some overtime because they are desperate for the money.
The maximum daily driving time is ten hours and within that no more than five-and-a-half hours without a break.
The minimum break is 30 minutes but in London 40 is the established norm through union pressure.
Once I was expected to do a late job on Tuesday, finishing about 2am the following morning, rest on Wednesday then start a very early one on the Thursday.
Fortunately, I was lucky when I requested a change. Otherwise I could go sick or absent. But many drivers on my rota did those duties. How and if they fitted two nights' sleep into that 27 hour slot, I don't know.
A stronger union and the fight for reasonable hours isn't just an issue for drivers. It's a matter of public safety too! We need shorter hours with no loss of pay.
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In The Socialist 17 October 2012:
Fighting the cuts
We want a 24-hour general strike!
Southampton anti-cuts councillors form new council group
Meetings after 20th October TUC demonstration
Socialist Party feature
Socialist Party news and analysis
Academies: march to defend education on 20 October
Stop the gas price hike - Nationalise the utilities!
Osborne's 'shares' plan threatens rights
Socialist Party feature
Unions must build the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC)
Socialist history
Poll tax: When organised mass action defeated the Tories
Socialist Party youth and students
Youth Fight for Jobs fortnight of action 13-28 October
International socialist news and analysis
Fight for a socialist and internationalist alternative to the crisis-ridden EU
Solidarity with Miners in South Africa
US elections: And the winner is... Wall Street!
Pakistan: Workers die as profit put before safety
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Hands off our NHS! - Victory in Gloucestershire
Stop the far right from 'uniting' on 27 October
Stop health robbery in Sherwood Forest
Invest in caring - we're worth it!
Socialist Party workplace news
Amnesty International staff take strike action
Bus drivers: We need shorter hours!
Hospital staff in Stockton and Hartlepool threatened with worse terms and conditions
The Socialist Party
The Socialist - Help us build it with the 20-20-20 plan!
Fight back against austerity - support the Socialist Party
New sales of the Socialist in Kenilworth
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