Mick Suter, South Yorkshire Socialist Party
Doncaster First Bus drivers, in Unite, have taken three days of strike action with another one planned on Friday 18 April. This dispute is about seeking parity of wages and conditions with their Sheffield co-workers in First Buses, as Unite senior steward Daz outlined.
Doncaster drivers are paid at least £1.55 less per hour than in Sheffield, and get only five weeks holiday compared to six weeks in Sheffield. When drivers are short in Sheffield, Doncaster drivers cover their routes, but not on Sheffield wages – on the lower rates of pay in Doncaster!
Members told us a bad deal was agreed by the previous Unite branch leadership a few years ago. The local leaders were voted out and more militant leaders elected.
The branch has demanded parity of wages and conditions but First Bus management has refused to make that offer. Consequently, the local branch has voted by over 90% for strike action.
The Unite branch is very solid – we were told only one driver has refused to support the strike and is now working in Sheffield. No one is crossing the picket line.
The strikers are planning to up the ante with further strike days planned the following week. Daz said: “We are determined to win parity”.
