Lothian Edinburgh: New Managment Team Leading the way? or Following Stagecoach/Arriva Play Book?

[James Pond]

The best thing for Lothian? Or the worst thing for Lothian? Are strikes coming in August?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Just for a bit of substance....

https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/...-buses-drivers-balloted-over-possible-strike/

Lothian Buses drivers balloted over possible strike

LOTHIAN Buses drivers are to be balloted over the possibility of strike action following claims of bullying and harassment.

Unite the union confirmed that it will formally ballot its membership at Lothian Buses for industrial action following overwhelming support in a consultative ballot.

In a three-week-long ballot, 94 per cent of Unite members who voted indicated support to take industrial action.

Lothian Buses, which has a number of services in East Lothian, has refuted “any allegations of bullying”.


The move – which has no impact on East Coast Buses, which is a subsidiary company of Lothian Buses – follows a breakdown in negotiations with Lothian Buses management at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

Lyn Turner, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “Unite met with Lothian Buses management at ACAS and we entered those talks in good faith to find a resolution to this dispute.

“However, there was a refusal at the outset to reinstate facility time, which is a red line for us.

“We have a number of outstanding issues in relation to procedural agreements, which includes on bullying and harassment.

“This is illustrated by the decision to remove facility time for the two senior Unite representatives.

“This decision in our view is trade union victimisation and we will now move to an employment tribunal.”

A spokeswoman for Lothian Buses said: “Despite the fact that the union and the business attended talks with ACAS last week, Unite thus far seem unwilling to engage in serious discussion.

“We absolutely refute any allegations of bullying.

“The branch chair and secretary are allocated four days per month to attend to their union duties – time which is paid for by Lothian and is way above what we are required to provide by law.

“We are at a loss to understand why the union hierarchy is intent on pursuing this damaging course of action that has the potential to impact on our customers.”

 

[Megafuss]

Firstly, I don't like the premise that Stagecoach/Arriva have a "playbook". Indeed my local big group op-co allows union reps 4 to 5 hours a day 5 days a week to attend to day to day union business (not including meetings with senior management, conduct hearings and schedule checks), far more than Lothian.

If Lothian can't see why the union is unhappy, then all they will get is all the drivers moaning in the canteen between themselves with the union reps getting no time to bring things to depot management.

 

[James Pond]

New move by management to by pass the Union, 6 Communication Stars (employees who get the ear of the Great One) appointed to each garage. New low, but how low will he go?

 

[Towielad]

Having been at the hands of some intense harassment at said operator I can agree with what union are saying!

This has been rumbling on since mid 2017 and despite the previous bullying claims under Iain Craig only a few left their positions several protagonists from the previous regime still exist there today so perhaps they didn’t do enough clearing out of those responsible for the bullying and harassment!!

 

[Mwanesh]

First or any of the big groups would have been slaughtered for this . Let us see how they get out of this one . It is going to get messy i think . Does not look good for their image .

 

[Jordan Adam]

First or any of the big groups would have been slaughtered for this . Let us see how they get out of this one . It is going to get messy i think . Does not look good for their image .

It's one rule for some and another rule for others. Sadly people gloss over the shortfalls of any operator that has a strong PR team like Lothian.

 

[James Pond]

Time for inpeachment of Tricky Dicky the Lothian Bus Gambler (The Great One), Millions lost with Lothian Country Buses (did not do his home work) also no home work done regarding 100 Seater Super Buses.
Now First Bus come to take the HONEY, What a Guy....
https://www.firstgroup.com/.../first-bus-enter-edinburgh...

 

[CM]

Time for inpeachment of Tricky Dicky the Lothian Bus Gambler (The Great One), Millions lost with Lothian Country Buses (did not do his home work) also no home work done regarding 100 Seater Super Buses.
Now First Bus come to take the HONEY, What a Guy....
https://www.firstgroup.com/.../first-bus-enter-edinburgh...

I seriousy doubt "tricky dicky" who ever he is made all these decisions on his own. At a company like Lothian, you'll find these decisions are made by more than one person and even they will no doubt have to get approval from someone higher up before proceeding...

 

[Bletchleyite]

Isn't the First thing a tourist tour bus service?

 

[In Focus]

Isn't the First thing a tourist tour bus service?

Open top tours .