The view from the picket line as bus drivers speak out over financial struggle and 'daily abuse'
More than a month since first walking out, bus drivers who face 'daily abuse' have been making their voices heard. Unite the Union members working for First Manchester have today walked out in a dispute over pay and conditions.
"Food banks are being used more and more now, everyone is really struggling, and what we're asking for is not unreasonable." First insists it has made a 'generous' pay increase offer of 15.2pc, which would make drivers based at the Oldham depot 'some of the best-paid in the region'. "We were key workers, taking nurses to their work, doctors, everyone working a key worker role to their work. But by the company, there's not been any appreciation whatsoever."
Meanwhile, almost a quarter of those surveyed said they never have adequate access to a toilet as they carried out their work, while nearly three-quarters said they had made errors while driving as a result of being very tired. Unite says 31pc of those surveyed work between 40 and 50 hours a week, while 14pc work more than 50 hours - affecting physical and mental health.
On the picket line, there was concern for bus drivers with families and bills to pay. Ken Nightingale, 64, recently joined the union amid the ongoing dispute and was concerned for younger colleagues. First Group saw an increase in profits last year of £6m, to £226.8m. But the company insists it must be 'prudent', and that there is already a good offer on the table.
Belgique Dernières Nouvelles, Belgique Actualités
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