Bus drivers vote to strike

SOUTH YORKSHIRE First bus drivers have voted overwhelmingly in a
postal ballot, by 4:1, in favour of taking strike action to secure a
decent pay rise.

Despite First Group recently recording record profits and increasing
shareholders’ dividends by 10%, bosses only offered a 1.8% pay rise or a
bit more if workers give up the final salary pension scheme!

Two years ago SY First bus drivers struck for three weeks to get a
decent pay rise with no strings attached. Since then First have raised
fares in South Yorkshire four times, by an average of 36%. Drivers want
to see some of this going into their pay packets rather than the
shareholders’ profits.

The new SY First boss is Bob Hamilton, who was their gaffer in Stoke
when drivers won a strike there last year for £8 an hour.

South Yorkshire drivers want £9 an hour and £7.50 for starter drivers
(currently on only £6.45). Socialist Party and the We Want Our Buses
Back campaign will be mobilising trade union solidarity and public
support for any strike action that takes place.