22 July 2024
RMT Press Office:
Bus union, RMT, will start 48 hours of strike action at First South West in a dispute over pay and working conditions on Tuesday.
Over 300 bus workers will set up picket lines across the region, including in Penzance, Taunton, and Camborne.
First South West has repeatedly failed to put forward acceptable offers to bus workers, despite the parent company, First Group, announcing pre-tax profits of £139 million, up 33% from the previous year.
First Group also proposed dividends for 2024 up by 45% on last year.
Despite these successes, over the weekend, First South West bosses put forward insulting pay offers that were not designed to end the dispute.
The offers did not meet the members' aspirations, were only aimed at bus drivers, and excluded other grades such as Engineers, Supervisors, Clerical Staff, and Cleaners.
First South West bosses put no new money forward and also wanted drivers to trade off their hard-fought for terms and conditions in exchange for a measly pay rise.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: "First South West has shown no interest in trying to genuinely settle this dispute or look after the best interest of their employees.
"Instead, they have tried to divide the workforce and attack hard-fought terms and conditions of bus workers to push through a poor pay offer.
"Our members voted overwhelmingly for strike action and are not interested in pitiful last-minute offers that do not meet their pay aspirations and ultimately seek to undermine their conditions of work.
"The strike action will go ahead and our members are ready to maintain their industrial campaign until they can win a decent pay rise."
END
Notes:
Journalists are advised of the following picket lines:
Taunton - Garage on Hamilton road: 6-8.15am. Then High Street Station 8:30am to 3pm
Journalists are advised of the following picket lines:
Taunton - Garage on Hamilton road: 6-8.15am. Then High Street Station 8:30am to 3pm
Turro bus station 6am-2pm
Penzance 8am
Camborne 10am
Unity House
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