First Bradford Strike

[ASharpe]

Sorry if this should be in the main First thread.

Tomorrow and Tuesday First Bradford drivers are expected to go on strike. Apparently because the 576 bus route has been given back to Halifax Depot.

This is going to Cause chaos in Bradford, where there is not a lot of competition on most routes.

The reasons I've read online for the strike don't seem that compelling. I interpreted it as first protecting jobs in Halifax due to contract losses and not recruiting for new Bradford depot drivers for work that doesn't exist. And I just don't get it.

Does anybody on here know more than the Telegraph and Argus do?

 

[Andyh82]

4 boards on the 576 were given back to Halifax in January to offset losses in Halifax. The 576 itself was Halifax run since at least deregulation, and was only passed to Bradford a few years ago.

The loss of work in Bradford has generally been most of the minibus services in recent years, so the depot has got smaller but it's still got over 200 buses allocated, one of the biggest in the whole of FirstGroup (both of the Leeds depots are just a slightly bit smaller) so the articles talking like it's been decimated and is heading for closure are overreacting a tad.

 

[ASharpe]

The strike appears to be well supported. First apparently have their managers out running a skeleton service in the areas first have a monopoly.

 

[34D]

The union is apparently concerned that Bradford is being prepared for closure or sale.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The union is apparently concerned that Bradford is being prepared for closure or sale.

Really? The idea of closure seems a bit far fetched. As for sale, what does a strike do other than make it more likely? That said, I'd be very surprised if Bradford was divested - bringing in a prospective competitor into the heart of their territory seems unlikely.

One wonders what the Halifax shoppy makes of this, as surely the non-relocation of the 576 would mean some of their members jobs being at risk?

 

[34D]

Indeed. Link http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/cuts-to-bradford-bus-services-prompt-48-hour-strike/

Cuts to Bradford bus services prompt 48-hour strike
20 April 2015
Thousands of Bradford bus users will be hit by a 48-hour strike on 27 and 28 April in a dispute where First West Yorkshire has been accused of allowing services ‘to wither on the vine’.

The 380 bus drivers, members of Unite, the country’s largest union, based at the First Bradford depot, Bowling Back Lane, Bradford, BD4 8SP will walk out at 01.30 on Monday 27 April. The strike will end at 01.29 on 29 April.

Unite accuses the company of running the bus depot down with the intention of closing it in the future. The union said also that there were allegations of bullying and harassment on a daily basis.

The main issue in dispute is the transfer of part of the 576 bus service from Bradford to Halifax with the loss of eight jobs when it will be operated by the Halifax depot.

There has also been an attack on terms and conditions, and the imposition of rosters, without prior consultation and negotiations with the union. This was an abrupt change to the existing good relationship between the union and local management.
*
Unite regional officer Harriet Eisner said: “This blinkered management has let services wither on the vine over the last four years – for example, the number of drivers employed has shrunk from 470 to 380 in that time.
*
“While the strike on 27/ 28 April will be inconvenient for thousands of bus users, the bigger picture that Unite is fighting for is the maintenance of good and reliable services with top quality buses, properly serviced. We also want our members treated with dignity and respect.
*
“There is a big shortage of drivers with no recruitment of new drivers and this is coupled with the movement of jobs without consultation from Bradford to other towns.
*
“This situation is compounded by inadequate engineering of the buses and the recycling of old buses. Many buses are unreliable – with all the health and safety considerations that this state of affairs raises.
*
“The management needs to wake up and take the union’s legitimate concerns seriously.
*
“The company has been dragging its feet in talks with Unite and we have been left with no option, but to call this strike, so the citizens of Bradford get the service they deserve and pay for.
*
“We call on management to jettison its macho stance and get back to mutually respectful and meaningful negotiations to avoid this damaging strike.”
*
The drivers have voted by 89 per cent for strike action and by 93 per cent for industrial action short of a strike.
*
ENDS

 

[Robertj21a]

Indeed. Link http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/cuts-to-bradford-bus-services-prompt-48-hour-strike/

It must be me but 'blinkered management' sounds a bit odd when some may suggest that the Union itself may be rather blinkered.

 

[34D]

It must be me but 'blinkered management' sounds a bit odd when some may suggest that the Union itself may be rather blinkered.

I suspect they've seen how part of First GM (ie Wigan) has been divested and are concerned that the same could happen in First WY.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I suspect they've seen how part of First GM (ie Wigan) has been divested and are concerned that the same could happen in First WY.

Again, that was a geographically distinct operation. Taken to its extremes, any depot in any First business could be at risk at any time so a strike is thereby justified.

IMHO, there's perhaps one major depot in First at risk of disposal and it ain't in Yorkshire!

 

[Deerfold]

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bradford/travel_news/service_updates/?item=83171&conf=1

UPDATE
With the support of a number of managers, drivers and supervisors, we will also be running a limited, flat fare (£1 adult, 50p child) service with normal passes and permits accepted on key corridors on both Monday 27 & Tuesday 28 April.

Extra services

1 Bradford - Four Lane Ends - Thornton Cemetery - Four Lane Ends - Bradford

leaving Bradford at 0900hrs and every hour until 1800hrs
leaving Thornton Cemetery at 0900hrs and every hour until 1800hrs


2 Bradford - Royal Infirmary - Haworth Road - Royal Infirmary - Bradford

leaving Bradford at 0800hrs and every 30 mins until 1730hrs
leaving Haworth Road at 0830hrs and every 30 mins until 1800hrs


3 Bradford - Laisterdyke - Kesteven Rd Btm - Knowles Ln - Bradford

leaving Bradford at 0830hrs and every hour until 1730hrs


4 Shetcliffe Ln - Bierley Church - Bradford

leaving Shetcliffe Ln at 0850hrs and every hour until 1650hrs


5 Bradford - Bierley Church - West Bowling Shetcliffe Ln

leaving Bradford at 0830hrs and every hour until 1730hrs


6 Bradford - Keighley Rd - Shipley - Keighley Rd - Bradford

leaving Bradford at 0830hrs and every 30 mins until 1800hrs
leaving Shipley at 0855rs and every 30 mins until 1825hrs


7 Bradford - Odsal - Wyke - Odsal - Bradford

leaving Bradford at 0830hrs and every hour until 1730hrs
leaving Wyke at 0858hrs and every hour until 1758hrs


8 Bradford - Scholemoor Ave - Clayton Town End

leaving Bradford at 0830hrs and every hour until 1730hrs


9 Clayton Town End - Scholemoor Ave - Bradford

leaving Clayton Town End at 0900hrs and every hour until 1800hrs


10 Bradford - Bolton Jcn - Five Lane Ends - Bolton Jcn - Bradford

leaving Bradford at 0830hrs and every 30 mins until 1730hrs
leaving Five Lane Ends at 0851hrs and every 30 mins until 1721hrs


11 Bradford - Buttershaw Cooper Ln

leaving Bradford at 0830hrs and every hour until 1730hrs


12 Buttershaw Cooper Ln - Moore Ave - Southfield Ln - Bradford

leaving Buttershaw Cooper Ln at 0852hrs and every hour until 1752hrs

Are First allowed to just run services that aren't registered - I realise they can't run all the normal ones that are due to the strike action but aren't they supposed to run as many journeys as they can on normal routes?

It must be me but 'blinkered management' sounds a bit odd when some may suggest that the Union itself may be rather blinkered.

But then you're always likely to suggest that, aren't you?

 

[Robertj21a]

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bradford/travel_news/service_updates/?item=83171&conf=1



But then you're always likely to suggest that, aren't you?

Not sure that I follow that - Why am I ?

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

The union is apparently concerned that Bradford is being prepared for closure or sale.

Reading the whole article it seems to me that the relocation of the 4 car workings was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

If what the article states is true it seems as though management are deliberately provoking the union by ignoring them, and ignoring agreements made... probably over many years.

How would the managers like it if head office came down and said "we're taking away your BMW's and Audis... here's a Skoda for your company car.. like it or lump it"?

Unfortunately all too often that is how management of large companies treat their staff.

It's about time that managers realised that the drivers are their most important asset and not a neccesary evil!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Reading the whole article it seems to me that the relocation of the 4 car workings was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

If what the article states is true it seems as though management are deliberately provoking the union by ignoring them, and ignoring agreements made... probably over many years.

How would the managers like it if head office came down and said "we're taking away your BMW's and Audis... here's a Skoda for your company car.. like it or lump it"?

Unfortunately all too often that is how management of large companies treat their staff.

It's about time that managers realised that the drivers are their most important asset and not a neccesary evil!

Yes, but that article is hardly a balanced, impartial view. Also, before we get too "right on, brother", remember that as well as bad managers, there are also bad drivers and shop stewards.

 

[Deerfold]

Reading the whole article it seems to me that the relocation of the 4 car workings was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

If what the article states is true it seems as though management are deliberately provoking the union by ignoring them, and ignoring agreements made... probably over many years.

Until a couple of years ago the 576 was entirely operated by Halifax - now a minority of runs have gone back to them.

 

[bradders1983]

Do the services in post #10 exist. Friend is currently at Bradford Interchange waiting for a bus (luckily can use a Keighley service if needed) and they dont seem to exist, he says.

 

[Andyh82]

Do the services in post #10 exist. Friend is currently at Bradford Interchange waiting for a bus (luckily can use a Keighley service if needed) and they dont seem to exist, he says.

They do exist, but generally only every 30 mins or hourly.

Also they aren't using those numbers, they are either displaying proper service numbers or just a blank screen with a card in the window.

Every time one appears, they've been announcing the services by tannoy.

 

[Tom B]

Will there be consequences for FirstBus of failing to operate services as registered? As a private company with the freedom to make money, it surely has a responsibility to provide sufficient staff to operate the services it has registered, and failure to do so should attract a fine? It is no concern of the passenger how the company manages its own affairs.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Will there be consequences for FirstBus of failing to operate services as registered? As a private company with the freedom to make money, it surely has a responsibility to provide sufficient staff to operate the services it has registered, and failure to do so should attract a fine? It is no concern of the passenger how the company manages its own affairs.

Unlikely. I can't recall an instance where any business has been penalised by the TC such as the recent London industrial action.

 

[Tom B]

London is, of course, a different kettle of fish - if a company fails to operate a service they face strict penalties, including staff shortages due to industrial action. I presume the same occurs with councils outwith London - I know that when First Mainline had strike action 10-15 years ago, the only services which ran were those operated on contract to the SYPTE, due to the penalties otherwise faced.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

London is, of course, a different kettle of fish - if a company fails to operate a service they face strict penalties, including staff shortages due to industrial action. I presume the same occurs with councils outwith London - I know that when First Mainline had strike action 10-15 years ago, the only services which ran were those operated on contract to the SYPTE, due to the penalties otherwise faced.

Not really. The TC doesn't distinguish on who finances what or the penalties may be levied.

Stagecoach Yorkshire had their strikes a few years ago and I don't recall any action from the TC.

Industrial action is usually regarded as force majeure so the usual rules do not apply.

 

[Volvodart]

First Aberdeen had industrial action a few years ago and were up before the Traffic Commissioners for it and other things. I remember it was because they ran a special timetable during the industrial action and the time taken to revert to the registered timetable. I think it was about a week after the action ceased.

 

[47802]

The union say there is no recruitment of new drivers, except First were advertising for new drivers for Bradford a couple of weeks ago

 

[Tetchytyke]

Until a couple of years ago the 576 was entirely operated by Halifax - now a minority of runs have gone back to them.

And given my experiences with the buses in Queensbury since it changed, I wish they'd all go back to Skircoat Road.

As others have said, the 576 was always a Halifax run until about three years ago. That's why it is the last departure on a night out of Bradford INterchange, it was getting the bus back to Halifax. The service worsened after the switch too, including the loss of the last bus from Halifax to Queensbury.

 

[TUC]

The union is apparently concerned that Bradford is being prepared for closure or sale.

Well going on strike will really help the business won't it?