Tom Baldwin, Bristol Socialist Party
From 16-19 September, Bristol bus workers in Unite the Union went on strike for better pay from First Bus. About 70 people at a time were on each of the two picket lines, from 3am to 10pm. Spirits were high and workers were determined to get a result.
Unite steward Rob Carroll said: “We’re striking for better pay and better conditions all round. We’ve gone through an exhaustive process with the employer. They dragged it out deliberately, so they could hold back elements of back pay. They admitted to us in conversations, that it’s a ploy they use against the workers – it’s an absolute disgrace. The branch has voted to reject their offer.”
Most buses weren’t running during the strike, despite the employer resorting to agency workers and bribery to get people to cross the picket line. Scabs were getting a £50 bonus each day that they worked and free food laid on – their ‘30 pieces of silver’.
Rob said: “I’ve been a socialist my whole life. This is Unite the Union against a big corporation.”
It’s a corporation that could afford the pay rise. Parent company First Group increased shareholder payouts by 45% last year. But privately run bus services mean profits come before the workers who keep the service running, and the passengers that rely upon it.
The Socialist Party and other trade unionists will keep on supporting Unite members as they fight back against that. Bring the bus services back in-house!
- More strike days are planned for October if needed
