First Leeds strike from 18 June 2023

[Deerfold]

First Leeds drivers are going on continuous strike from 18 June 2023.

Leeds braced for bus chaos as First West Yorkshire drivers stage continuous strike

800 Leeds bus drives strike over company’s refusal to move pay anniversary date back to normal

www.unitetheunion.org

800 Leeds bus drives strike over company’s refusal to move pay anniversary date back to normal

Around 800 First West Yorkshire bus drivers will begin strike action every day from 18 June over the company’s refusal to return the date on which new pay rises are enacted back to normal.

The workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, agreed during the pandemic to change their anniversary pay date to October to assist the company financially.

First West Yorkshire has refused to move the date back to April however, meaning workers have been left struggling during the cost-of-living crisis and will not receive a much needed pay increase until October at the earliest.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “When First West Yorkshire needed its drivers to dig deep for the company, they did. Not only did they put their and their families’ health on the line by continuing to drive First buses, they also agreed to delay getting a pay rise.

“First Group have taken advantage of this sacrifice to keep their drivers’ wages down as inflation has rocketed. Our members are absolutely right to strike at what is essentially a stab in the back by First West Yorkshire and they will receive Unite’s total support.”

 

[Andyh82]

I might be cynical but is this really because inflation is likely to be less in October than it was in April so a lower pay rise would be offered?

Other than that why would it matter what month an annual pay rise took place besides it being annual. Presumably there was one in October 2022?

 

[Stan Drews]

I might be cynical but is this really because inflation is likely to be less in October than it was in April so a lower pay rise would be offered?

Other than that why would it matter what month an annual pay rise took place besides it being annual. Presumably there was one in October 2022?

I’m assuming they went 18 months to Oct 2020 during Covid, and now they want a 6 month gap to redress the balance.

 

[noddingdonkey]

Quite bold to start with an indefinite strike rather than just occasional days

 

[johntea]

Arriva Yorkshire did the same around the same time last year over a pay dispute, and it lasted several weeks

It was a bit tricky for passengers to get around when on certain days the trains were also on strike!

 

[Eyersey468]

Stagecoach in Hull did similar last year

 

[duncanp]

Quite bold to start with an indefinite strike rather than just occasional days

They are copying the tactics used in the National Express West Midlands strike in March, which lasted six days.

The union are hoping that the complete lack of bus service will concentrate the minds of the management and local authorities.

 

[Deerfold]

They are copying the tactics used in the National Express West Midlands strike in March, which lasted six days.

The union are hoping that the complete lack of bus service will concentrate the minds of the management and local authorities.

Or even Arriva Yorkshire last year who were on strike for 4 weeks.

 

[Simon75]

Or even Arriva Yorkshire last year who were on strike for 4 weeks.

And Arriva North West last summer

 

[duncanp]

And Arriva North West last summer

An all out continuous strike is a gamble by the unions that the employers are going to give a sufficiently improved pay offer within a relatively short period of time.

This worked with the National Express West Midlands strike in March, and I would assume the union are banking on the same thing happening with First Leeds.

 

[jonesy3001]

Timetables for next week's strike starting on Sunday 18th.
Only the 34 running on the days where I live, would of been better if it was the X84.

 

[Kieran1990]

Looks like hunslet is expecting more drivers to book on than Bramley going off the frequencies that have been published.

Hoping the dispute is settled quickly

 

[Bantamzen]

Timetables for next week's strike starting on Sunday 18th.
Only the 34 running on the days where I live, would of been better if it was the X84.

Given that the 33 isn't running, the 34 makes more sense than the X84 as it will serve more passengers.

 

[jonesy3001]

Given that the 33 isn't running, the 34 makes more sense than the X84 as it will serve more passengers.

The 34 takes the long way round to get to Leeds via Guiseley, Yeadon, Kirkstall then into Leeds while the X84 just goes up Leeds Road to Headingley. It takes about 3 quarters of an hour compared to 90mins on the 34.
The 33 only comes to otley in the evenings and Sunday, it normally terminates at guiseley white cross.

 

[Volvodart]

From the First website, some of the services that they said they were to run are not running, but it is unclear if this is just for today's services, and the page has been changed more than once since I first looked. It would be better if the update time was shown and what part running meant.

Industrial Action

Industrial action has been postponed Industrial action is now postponed so we will be running full services on our Leeds City network, Park & Ride, and Flexibus from Tuesday 20 June. Thank you to our customers for your continued patience while these strikes have been taking place and to our...

www.firstbus.co.uk

 

[Bantamzen]

The 34 takes the long way round to get to Leeds via Guiseley, Yeadon, Kirkstall then into Leeds while the X84 just goes up Leeds Road to Headingley. It takes about 3 quarters of an hour compared to 90mins on the 34.
The 33 only comes to otley in the evenings and Sunday, it normally terminates at guiseley white cross.

I know, but it serves more areas which is probably why First are running it. Otherwise both Guiseley and Menston would have no Leeds facing services at all.

 

[jonesy3001]

There is the A3 that goes to Guiseley and I think that stops near the train station.

 

[Bantamzen]

There is the A3 that goes to Guiseley and I think that stops near the train station.

That's the Transdev service to Bradford, not Leeds.

 

[jonesy3001]

That's the Transdev service to Bradford, not Leeds.

Change at the airport for the leeds bus.

 

[Bantamzen]

Change at the airport for the leeds bus.

Or rather than sending all their potential passengers onto another company's routes, First could just run the 34 to serve Otley, Menston & Guiseley. As they are doing.

 

[jonesy3001]

Or rather than sending all their potential passengers onto another company's routes, First could just run the 34 to serve Otley, Menston & Guiseley. As they are doing.

Looking on the main page some services are not running due to a driver shortage.

 

[Bantamzen]

Looking on the main page some services are not running due to a driver shortage.

Given that First won't know exactly how many drivers will be available until they show up for duty, you can expect lots of changes and shortages.

 

[Deerfold]

Strike has been paused with drivers working as normal from tomorrow.

First Bus issues new statement on when Leeds services will resume following drivers strike

The First Bus drivers strike in Leeds has been put on hold after employers First Bus offered a new pay deal.

www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

First bus strikes: Leeds drivers walkout postponed as Unite accept 11th hour pay offer
The First Bus drivers strike in Leeds has been put on hold after employers First Bus offered a new pay deal.

About 800 Unite members from First West Yorkshire went on an indefinite strike on Sunday, with many forming picket lines across the city. The strikes have left many LeedsCity and Park and Ride services operating with a limited frequency, with some services, including Flexi Bus, not operating at all.

The strikes have now been put on hold however, after First Bus said an 11th hour pay settlement had been agreed with the union and there would be a "full return" of bus services on Tuesday.

Unite will officially put the offer to its members in a ballot on June 29.

 

[Deerfold]

Drivers have accepted the revised offer.

First Bus issue update on Leeds drivers strike action after crucial pay talks twist

Leeds First Bus has issued a statement on planned strike action by its drivers after a crucial pay talks twist.

www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

First Bus Leeds: Company 'delighted' as drivers accept 13% pay rise in end to strike chaos​

The bus company has said it is “delighted” after drivers accepted a 13 per cent pay rise offer. About 800 Unite members from First West Yorkshire went on an indefinite strike on Sunday (June 18), with many forming picket lines across the city.
The strikes were put on hold the next day however, after First Bus said an 11th hour pay settlement had been agreed with the union and there would be a "full return" of bus services on Tuesday. Passengers had previously expressed their frustration at the strikes as over 50 routes were reduced to operating on reduced or no services.

In a statement released today, First Bus has announced that in a Unite ballot on Thursday, June 29 has accepted its latest pay offer to Leeds drivers.

The bus company has said it is “delighted” after drivers accepted a 13 per cent pay rise offer. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Andrew Cullen, Managing Director of First North & West Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with Unite and acceptance of a generous offer which means an increase in pay for our Leeds drivers of 13.43 per cent by April 2024 compared to today.
“This avoids any further damaging strike action and the severe disruption this would have caused to the daily lives of our customers who rely on the bus to get to work, education and for appointments. The whole team can now focus on continuing to deliver an excellent service throughout the communities we serve in Leeds.”

 

[Russel]

The indefinite strikes by the bus drivers certain seem to get results compared to the one day here and there style the RMT go for, which has achieved nothing in 12 months...

 

[skyhigh]

The indefinite strikes by the bus drivers certain seem to get results compared to the one day here and there style the RMT go for, which has achieved nothing in 12 months...

It's not really comparable though. Bus companies are not controlled by the DfT.

 

[Deerfold]

It's not really comparable though. Bus companies are not controlled by the DfT.

Indeed. Bus companies feel the hit on their bottom line immediately. TOCs, not so much.

 

[Mwanesh]

The indefinite strikes by the bus drivers certain seem to get results compared to the one day here and there style the RMT go for, which has achieved nothing in 12 months...

Train strikes are common people just work around them.Bus strikes well you can't really do anything because the whole network just gets grounded. Train companies can strike for a week and Life will go on

 

[Russel]

So we're saying if the bus drivers walked out for single days here and they would have got the same results?

If you say so...