15 December 2020
RMT Press Office:
RMT to Ballot Stagecoach East Midlands Bus drivers for strike action over safety concerns.
BUS UNION RMT confirmed today that it has begun sending out ballot papers for strike action to RMT Stagecoach East Midlands Bus driver members in Mansfield and Worksop over safety concerns.
Following negotiations between RMT representatives and Stagecoach East Midlands over Stagecoach’s failure to implement an exact fare policy on its buses in Worksop and Mansfield it has become apparent the company are refusing to compromise with RMT’s requests.
With tier 3 restrictions being put in place, RMT feels that the company have shown a total disregard for the well-being of our members on the front line. At the height of the pandemic in April contactless payment and exact fare was introduced by the company to limit cash handling; this was revoked on 1st September.
With infection rates rising and the knowledge we have gained from the first wave, it is absolutely essential that this safety measure is reintroduced to protect our bus driving members.
RMT has come to the conclusion, bearing all of the above in mind, that it has no other option but to ballot its members for industrial action.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;
“I strongly urge all my members to vote ‘YES’ for strike action in this ballot.
“Delivering a strong mandate for industrial action will show management that members will not be intimidated by them and that they are prepared to stand together for what is safe, for what is reasonable, and for what is right.”
Ends.
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