Unite members call time on talks and press ahead with strike action

Go North East, the region’s largest bus operator, has confirmed that Unite the Union has rejected the company’s attempts to reach a compromise in the long running dispute over pay. Unite members will now strike.

During intensive negotiations involving ACAS, the company tabled an improved pay offer worth 9.5 per cent to drivers and engineers. Administration staff earning up to £40,000 per year have been offered 9.5 per cent, while those earning over £40,000 have been offered 6 per cent. Workers have also been guaranteed a further inflation-linked pay increase for next year.

In a bid to find common ground with Union leaders, bosses at the firm also agreed to water down proposals to standardise working practices across its six depots. Unite yesterday dismissed the revised offers and called time on talks to press ahead with strike action. Unite is insisting that two one week strikes take place. One week starting this Saturday 30 September and another starting 14 October.

Requests by the company to delay the strike while further talks take place were rejected by the Union. The Union is demanding a 13 per cent pay increase on top of a 10 per cent received last year to call off industrial action.

Go North East business director, Ben Maxfield, said, “We could not have tried harder to solve this dispute. We’ve put more money on the table and listened to drivers who have asked us to slow down moves to bring their working practices into line with competitors.”

He also said, “It’s not in our interests, or our passengers’ interests, to have a strike. Unfortunately, by pressing for a 13 per cent pay rise and calling time on talks, it appears some elements within Unite are set on pursuing this course of action.”

There will be no Go North East buses running during these dates, except contracted School Services. The latest information on service disruptions is available on the company website.

Ben Maxfield said, “I would like to offer my deepest apologies to people across the region who will be affected by Unite’s strike. Rest assured we will continue to work towards the quickest solution possible.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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