(29 Aug 2022, 9:30 pm)Drifter60 wrote I’m sorry this may be controversial but this is where certain workers get things wrong in my opinion. Unions fighting for better pay and conditions yes I’m all for that and I do happen to think bus drivers deserve more than what is seemingly the average hourly rate looking at the information out there. But if you accept a job as a bus driver in my opinion you sign up to out of hours working, complaining you had to do a late shift, a Saturday shift or bank holiday is like someone working a bar job complaining they finished late or an paramedic not liking shift work. Bars tend to attract more people in the evening just as paramedics and ambulance are need 24/7 (including Christmas Day believe it or not) and to me it’s the same way buses operate 7 days a week. There’s need a whole mindset change on the issue. Where is the outcry about the waitress and chef serving Christmas Day lunch at a restaurant, or the checkout operator working a 12 hour shift on bank holidays, including Boxing Day.

It’s a complete sense of entitlement with some people, where they want the job to change for them, and that’s shouldn’t always be the case. If a load of bus drivers doesn’t want to do anything but a Monday-Friday 9 to 5, what’s the a solution? Cancel bus post 5pm Friday until Monday morning? It’s crazy. I have a friend a few years got a call centre job at Doxford in Sunderland, shifts were 8 hours long but could be Monday to Sunday 7am to 11pm. He hated it, he was in his early 20s, enjoyed going out at weekend, played football for a Sunday pub team etc. the job interfered with his social life too much, he didn’t demand the job changed for him. He quit. And got a job elsewhere, now does a more suited to him office based 9 to 5 Monday to Friday. He didn’t expect the company to change just for him.

Now I appreciate in the current driver shortage, losing any more drivers may not the way to go but this isn’t a new problem. There’s been a lack of decent evening and weekend services for years and mindset on this should have changed a few years back. Demand has increased in recent years for more ‘off peak’ services, I liken it to supermarkets, twenty years ago a checkout operator job at Asda may have only been shifts between 8am and 8pm at most. But now most are 24 hours or at least 6am til 12am, the business model changed and the staff shifts presumably had too also. No doubt some people left but any new starters would know the requirements and shift patterns in advance, you can’t then complain when the store is still open past 10pm or at weekends!

I appreciate this is a bus forum with many current and force employees from various companies who obviously have a vested interest, but I’ve done weekend working myself, which has included Bank Holidays, Easter, Boxing Day, New Years Day etc. and I don’t see anyone outraged for me… 

It's ironic that if other jobs didn't have weekend or Bank Holiday workers, the very same drivers who have time off and complain at the notion of working themselves during this period - would complain that there was nobody to serve them or provide a service during their time off...

(28 Aug 2022, 10:32 pm)Ambassador wrote then their tiny provincial minds would be blown

You think that's a reasonable way to talk to people?

The reason for Sunday running on a bank holiday has nothing to do with drivers wishes, it's the companies that make the choice and that choice is made based on profitability.

No where in this thread has anyone in the industry suggested drivers shouldn't work bank holidays, I have done so myself many times and it's clearly part of the job when you start.

But you have invented a scenario where workers claim they shouldn't have to work bank holidays then used that fiction to declare yourself right.

For what it's worth, I'd love the North East to embrace "special" timetables. Something like Saturday running times, or Saturday frequencies with a Sunday start/finish.

But there is a price to pay for that sort of thing. Not only in terms of money but more importantly industrial relations. Especially if it's in black and white between a company and the union that Bank Hols are voluntary. That needs to be acknowledged and cannot be swept under the carpet. You only need to look at what happens when you poke the bear of Sunday working on the Railway to see how messy it could get without tough negotiations which could go on for months or years.

(29 Aug 2022, 9:18 am)tcts24 wrote We get higher pay for working bank holidays at Stagecoach   Wish someone would tell my boss. I get the leiu day but that's it.

Yep - asked around. You're right I'm wrong. Apologies.

(31 Aug 2022, 10:39 am)F114TML wrote Yep - asked around. You're right I'm wrong. Apologies.

Fairly certain Arriva have an advanced rate

I know its just been announced but will the 3 major companies up here be running a Sunday service on Monday 19th September. Unfortunately where i work never close and I need to be at work for 8 but first bus on a Sunday is 920 i believe?

(10 Sep 2022, 6:01 pm)Rob44 wrote I know its just been announced but will the 3 major companies up here be running a Sunday service on Monday 19th September.  Unfortunately where i work never close and I need to be at work for 8 but first bus on  a Sunday is 920 i believe?

It's been designated a Bank Holiday so I assume it will be a standard Sunday service.

I can see many work places closing for the day.

All the major Betting Shops (Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hills, Betfred, Paddy Power) are closing for the day (for the second time, as we closed on Friday due to the passing of the Queen)

(10 Sep 2022, 7:40 pm)Rapidsnap wrote All the major Betting Shops (Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hills, Betfred, Paddy Power) are closing for the day (for the second time, as we closed on Friday due to the passing of the Queen)

That's only because there was nothing to bet on as all the sports were cancelled pretty much :p

I used to like bank holidays because we got a day off school, now they piss me off because I can't get 30% off Lidl bakery after 7pm and it costs me twice as much to get the bus!

What's even worse, is places are deciding to shut altogether because we're told we have to be sad for a few days! Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling to #abolishthemonarchy or owt, but I do think it's a bit over the top

(13 Sep 2022, 2:02 am)streetdeckfan wrote I used to like bank holidays because we got a day off school, now they piss me off because I can't get 30% off Lidl bakery after 7pm and it costs me twice as much to get the bus!

What's even worse, is places are deciding to shut altogether because we're told we have to be sad for a few days! Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling to #abolishthemonarchy or owt, but I do think it's a bit over the top

That's a first world problem, not getting your 30% off at Lidl after 7pm

Its also called "respect", she was on the throne for 70 years, she was part of some of the biggest events in history... so that's why its a bank holiday.

It's pissed me off because I have to drive a route I hate on Monday, on a shift thats 67 minutes longer than the one I usually do.

(13 Sep 2022, 9:33 am)tcts24 wrote It's pissed me off because I have to drive a route I hate on Monday, on a shift thats 67 minutes longer than the one I usually do.

What route do you hate?

(10 Sep 2022, 8:22 pm)Storx wrote That's only because there was nothing to bet on as all the sports were cancelled pretty much :p

Funnily enough that isn't the reason, as when there is no sport going on in the UK, they show racing from around the world (America, Canada, India, France, Austrailia etc), other sporting events around the world can be betted on, and on top of that you have them machines that people play until 10pm at night.

(13 Sep 2022, 6:18 am)Michael wrote That's a first world problem, not getting your 30% off at Lidl after 7pm 

Its also called "respect", she was on the throne for 70 years, she was part of some of the biggest events in history... so that's why its a bank holiday.

There's nothing "respectful" about essential shops closing willy-nilly to apparently allow their staff to watch the funeral, for someone they didn't actually care about until the prospect of a day off!

Asda posted a press release, only accessible via "Corporate and Press" on their website, stating they'll be closed from midnight to 5pm on Monday and will suspend home deliveries for the day. There is absolutely no public-facing communications of this closure. The number of people this will negatively affect will be significantly greater than those mourning the late Queen.

Reducing the customer offering or outright closing was unheard of before Covid for any reason bar Christmas. Since when did it become normal or a "mark of respect" to do that?

(14 Sep 2022, 3:22 am)omnicity4659 wrote There's nothing "respectful" about essential shops closing willy-nilly to apparently allow their staff to watch the funeral, for someone they didn't actually care about until the prospect of a day off!

Asda posted a press release, only accessible via "Corporate and Press" on their website, stating they'll be closed from midnight to 5pm on Monday and will suspend home deliveries for the day. There is absolutely no public-facing communications of this closure. The number of people this will negatively affect will be significantly greater than those mourning the late Queen.

Reducing the customer offering or outright closing was unheard of before Covid for any reason bar Christmas. Since when did it become normal or a "mark of respect" to do that?

It's for the same reason that GNE have a Pride, Poppy and even the Jubilee bus, it's just marketing! They can say what they want, but they aren't doing it out of the goodness of their heart!

If they didn't close then there'd be news articles and Twitter posts about workers being 'forced' to go in, and that would make them look bad.


Maybe it's just me, but I was pretty much over the Queen's death after a few hours, I don't need 2+ weeks to 'mourn'. I didn't even take the full day off to go to my grandparent's funerals! No use crying over spilled milk and all that. 

I'll refrain from giving my opinions on the people crying on TV 'out of respect' (but it's not far off my opinion on people going on strike!)

(14 Sep 2022, 3:22 am)omnicity4659 wrote There's nothing "respectful" about essential shops closing willy-nilly to apparently allow their staff to watch the funeral, for someone they didn't actually care about until the prospect of a day off!

Asda posted a press release, only accessible via "Corporate and Press" on their website, stating they'll be closed from midnight to 5pm on Monday and will suspend home deliveries for the day. There is absolutely no public-facing communications of this closure. The number of people this will negatively affect will be significantly greater than those mourning the late Queen.

Reducing the customer offering or outright closing was unheard of before Covid for any reason bar Christmas. Since when did it become normal or a "mark of respect" to do that?

The reason they will be shutting is because a lot of people will be watching the Queen's funeral especially pensioners who is usually all that shops on a Monday anyway. 

There's no demand to be open so why bother wasting money for the 15 people who will come in all day.

(14 Sep 2022, 6:04 am)streetdeckfan wrote It's for the same reason that GNE have a Pride, Poppy and even the Jubilee bus, it's just marketing! They can say what they want, but they aren't doing it out of the goodness of their heart!

If they didn't close then there'd be news articles and Twitter posts about workers being 'forced' to go in, and that would make them look bad.


Maybe it's just me, but I was pretty much over the Queen's death after a few hours, I don't need 2+ weeks to 'mourn'. I didn't even take the full day off to go to my grandparent's funerals! No use crying over spilled milk and all that. 

I'll refrain from giving my opinions on the people crying on TV 'out of respect' (but it's not far off my opinion on people going on strike!)

I agree, a lot of it will be PR spin. 
But in the case of Centre Parcs, it has backfired big style!

Both my employer and Mrs Constantopolous employers are open on Monday. Because of the services provided, they have no choice.

However, I find it strange to see the likes of Costco shutting their stores and petrol stations.
Particularly when smaller businesses who rely on them, won't be closing for the day.

(14 Sep 2022, 7:20 am)Storx wrote The reason they will be shutting is because a lot of people will be watching the Queen's funeral especially pensioners who is usually all that shops on a Monday anyway. 

There's no demand to be open so why bother wasting money for the 15 people who will come in all day.

Because it's a major inconvenience for those of us who want to do something other than watch a funeral of someone we didn't know!
I mean, it's not as if anything interesting is going to happen anyway, last funeral I went to was pretty boring!

(14 Sep 2022, 8:13 am)Andreos1 wrote I agree, a lot of it will be PR spin. 
But in the case of Centre Parcs, it has backfired big style!

Both my employer and Mrs Constantopolous employers are open on Monday. Because of the services provided, they have no choice.

However, I find it strange to see the likes of Costco shutting their stores and petrol stations.
Particularly when smaller businesses who rely on them, won't be closing for the day.

Bloody hell, even Costco are in on it?! Where am I supposed to get my oversized pizza and cheap diesel!

(14 Sep 2022, 8:13 am)Andreos1 wrote I agree, a lot of it will be PR spin. 
But in the case of Centre Parcs, it has backfired big style!

Both my employer and Mrs Constantopolous employers are open on Monday. Because of the services provided, they have no choice.

However, I find it strange to see the likes of Costco shutting their stores and petrol stations.
Particularly when smaller businesses who rely on them, won't be closing for the day.

I'm in on Monday to - we must be the only educational place in Sunderland who's open! - unless it changes......... Its Sunday service on the buses too.

(13 Sep 2022, 3:59 pm)nova347 wrote What route do you hate?

Stagecoach Hartlepool route 1. There's a whole load of reasons I hate driving it

i work all bank holidays, including Christmas this year!.. But i think its a good idea the more shops that close. My favourite day of the year for a pint is easter sunday when newcastle is SOOOOO peaceful. If people can get there shopping in on the 363 days the shops are open then there is something wrong somewhere.... plus you can always give the low paying tax companies your hard earned cash and shop online to save pennys!

(14 Sep 2022, 3:22 am)omnicity4659 wrote There's nothing "respectful" about essential shops closing willy-nilly to apparently allow their staff to watch the funeral, for someone they didn't actually care about until the prospect of a day off!

Asda posted a press release, only accessible via "Corporate and Press" on their website, stating they'll be closed from midnight to 5pm on Monday and will suspend home deliveries for the day. There is absolutely no public-facing communications of this closure. The number of people this will negatively affect will be significantly greater than those mourning the late Queen.

Reducing the customer offering or outright closing was unheard of before Covid for any reason bar Christmas. Since when did it become normal or a "mark of respect" to do that?

I've seen some foodbanks are also opting to close, which is absolutely bonkers given the reasons why they exist in the first place.

Some businesses seem to have gone mad over this. The Center Parcs fiasco is a prime example of it and has ultimately ended up being a PR disaster for them as a company. I wonder who ever thought it'd be a good idea to ask guests to leave mid-break for 24 hours, find somewhere else to sleep, then come back and 'enjoy' the rest of their holiday. 

People already being force-fed coverage of this around the clock and now they're being pushed into spending their day in a sombre fashion, because at this rate they'll not be able to do anything else. Add people being arrested for protesting to the list, and it's becoming more-and-more authoritarian by the day.

(14 Sep 2022, 10:41 am)Rob44 wrote i work all bank holidays, including Christmas  this year!.. But i think its a good idea the more shops that close.  My favourite day of the year for a pint is easter sunday when newcastle is SOOOOO peaceful.  If people can get there shopping in on the 363 days the shops are open then there is something wrong somewhere.... plus you can always give the low paying tax companies your hard earned cash and shop online to save pennys!

More shops to close, but pubs to stay open?

The shops that are closing sell essentials. I'd argue for Christmas Day and Easter Sunday, you already know well in advance that they're going to be closed. You've got less than a weeks notice with this, and many families live day-by-day in terms of budgeting and putting food on the table.

(14 Sep 2022, 4:56 pm)Adrian wrote I've seen some foodbanks are also opting to close, which is absolutely bonkers given the reasons why they exist in the first place.

Some businesses seem to have gone mad over this. The Center Parcs fiasco is a prime example of it and has ultimately ended up being a PR disaster for them as a company. I wonder who ever thought it'd be a good idea to ask guests to leave mid-break for 24 hours, find somewhere else to sleep, then come back and 'enjoy' the rest of their holiday. 

People already being force-fed coverage of this around the clock and now they're being pushed into spending their day in a sombre fashion, because at this rate they'll not be able to do anything else. Add people being arrested for protesting to the list, and it's becoming more-and-more authoritarian by the day.

Entirely right, the huge control grab of the right wing is being toasted by the media. Best thing to do, switch off the TV, remove all news feeds from your PC and phone, and do what most do on a bank holiday, nothing.

(14 Sep 2022, 4:56 pm)Adrian wrote People already being force-fed coverage of this around the clock and now they're being pushed into spending their day in a sombre fashion, because at this rate they'll not be able to do anything else. Add people being arrested for protesting to the list, and it's becoming more-and-more authoritarian by the day.

I go on Twitter and literally everything is about the bloody Queen, it's taking the piss at this point! I don't need live updates about where, for lack of a better phrase, a rotting corpse is! Why people are queuing up for 5 miles is beyond me, you might as well go to a butchers! I'm glad I'm not paying for a TV license because I'd want a refund, all they've been doing is regurgitating the same crap for the last week.

I've got my 93rd COVID booster booked in for Monday and I hope to god they don't have a TV on in the waiting area! Actually, I'm half expecting to get a phone call saying they've cancelled it out of respect!

(14 Sep 2022, 5:00 pm)Adrian wrote More shops to close, but pubs to stay open?

The shops that are closing sell essentials. I'd argue for Christmas Day and Easter Sunday, you already know well in advance that they're going to be closed. You've got less than a weeks notice with this, and many families live day-by-day in terms of budgeting and putting food on the table.

Shops never used to open on a Sunday. Pubs opened 12-3 then 7 till 1030 ( if your old enough to remember). All im saying is Easter Sunday is for me what a Sunday should be about. Spending time with family and friend who may normally work Sundays in ASDA selling essentials like cream cakes and pork pies.

You have a point but its not like they are saying we are not opening tomorrow. Its a weeks notice in most cases giving members of staff a chance to pay respect.

(14 Sep 2022, 5:26 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I go on Twitter and literally everything is about the bloody Queen, it's taking the piss at this point! I don't need live updates about where, for lack of a better phrase, a rotting corpse is! Why people are queuing up for 5 miles is beyond me, you might as well go to a butchers! I'm glad I'm not paying for a TV license because I'd want a refund, all they've been doing is regurgitating the same crap for the last week.

I've got my 93rd COVID booster booked in for Monday and I hope to god they don't have a TV on in the waiting area! Actually, I'm half expecting to get a phone call saying they've cancelled it out of respect!

Maybe... people are a bit saddened by the news, and not everyone feels the same as everyone else.

(14 Sep 2022, 6:05 pm)F114TML wrote Maybe... people are a bit saddened by the news, and not everyone feels the same as everyone else.

If that's the case, why assume that everyone is feeling sad and everywhere needs to close?

It’s getting a bit ridiculous now tbh. I’ve seen posts of:

- funerals being cancelled
- operations being cancelled
- cancer treatments cancelled
- some petrol stations closed
- food banks closed

What’re they going to do next, the NHS come out and say don’t get ill or have a baby that day as there’ll be no doctors or midwives working that day as a “mark of respect”. The REAL reason they’re all jumping on the bandwagon of mass hysteria is because they don’t want bad press calling them out saying “they’re being disrespectful”.

Petrol stations and shops need to remain open as they are essential services. The entire situation is getting on my nerves now. I’m all for respecting Her Majesty for all she has done over the past 70 years but not at the expense of people’s livelihoods and especially with the current cost of living crisis as people will possibly lose out on wages.

A lot of these companies seem to think everyone will want to sit and watch the funeral when that is clearly not the case from what I’ve seen on various social media platforms. Some people actually do want to go to work and earn money to keep a roof over their heads and their PR obsessed bosses are too blind to see it.

The Nisa Local across the road from my place will only be closed during the funeral service and then it reopens at 2pm. This is what food shops / stores should be doing not closed for the entire day.


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