A view from the UNITE side I came across: 

**COPIED**
For people that want to know what we have been putting up with from our so called employers who blame us as drivers for disrupting the public with the strikes...

Strike update:

There's been a lot of mud slinging online about the strike but here's the facts.
-------
TLDR: - This strike has been 5 month in the making and in that time GNE have attended only 12 DAYS OF TALKS.
Don't blame the drivers.

Blame Go North East and the Go Ahead Group who have allowed the ego of two senior managers cause milions of pounds of damage to the north east.
------
Timeline:

May - the union held meetings with workers to decide what they wanted and put together a pay claim that everyone agreed to.

June - the union submitted the play claim which was refused.

June 23rd - GNE sumbit a counter offer including equivalent of Go North West's terms but with woeful pay offer which there is no chance the drivers would accept. Rep's rejected this.

July 1st - the date that the claim should be put into place. At the time RPI was 11.4%.

July 7th - Unite held pay talks with GNE who had failed to produce any new offer and afterwards were described as a waste of time by reps.

July 9th - talks are called off by GNE so Unite call a provisional ballot from workers on if they are prepared to strike. They overwhelmingly vote to strike so official strike procedures start.

July 9th - September 11th - GNE refuse any offer of talks with Rep's as they feel that providing the option to strike is showing a lack of "good faith"

September 12th - workers again vote overwhelmingly to strike. With 97.92% voting to strike and an 83.37% turnout. UNITE submit their intention for 2, week long strikes.

September 25th - GNE finally return to the table but refuse to offer any meaningful changes or even accept the concerns of the workers. Talks continue until the 27th when talks break down.

September 30th - first week long strike takes place. GNE tells reps that they are too busy to meet while striking is taken place.

10th October - GNE tells rep's they are willing to talk on the 11th.

11th October - GNE removes their conditions from their offer which the understanding that they will discuss terms separately over the next three months on a depot by depot basis. This was refused by the reps as it was an attempt to divide the depots and weaken them. Talks collapse.

13th October - UNITE submits intention for indefinite strike from the 28th October.

14th October - second week long strike. Again GNE are too busy to talk while strike action is taking place.

23rd October - talks start again with no movement. Unconfirmed reports are on the 24th GNE offered the same deal but with 10.5% if the Reps agreed to endorse it which they refused.

25th October - "The Watershed Moment" GNE give a final offer of 10.3% [taking drivers to 1p above stagecoach drivers]. Rep's tell GNE that workers will not accept these terms but will put it to ballot to prove it.

GNE releases this deal to the press before rep's are able to inform their workers so most find this out over social media. Press runs that the strike is over and that Unite have agreed the deal. THIS IS CATEGORICALLY UNTRUE.

Unite hold an emergency ballot on this offer.

October 27th
Richard Holden MP (Under secratary for transport and NW Durham MP) Stands up in Parliament and announces GNE & Unite have come to an agreement. He was incorrect. As was his source.

October 27th - workers again overwhelmingly reject this offer with 81% and a 93% turnout.

October 28th - workers are back on the picket line on indefinite strike.  Conditions have caused this,,, they say no conditions, but make the condition that conditions will be discussed / implemented over the next 3 months, depot by depot.

Also no driver wants a 2 year deal / con.
It needs to be a one year deal, end of.
Hope this helps.

*** ***

Has there been anymore paytalks?

(01 Nov 2023, 1:27 pm)Unber43 wrote Has there been anymore paytalks?

Ben has released a very snazzy corporate branded pdf explaining in great detail how this is not his fault

https://images-gonortheast.passenger-web...6A%206.pdf


I particularly enjoyed this line

We are committed to trying to maintain bus routes wherever possible; recently we stepped in to save services in North Tyneside after another operator abandoned them. We alsowork hard to avoid fare increases and unlike other modes oftransport, we don’t impose blanket annual fare increases.

(01 Nov 2023, 2:19 pm)Ambassador wrote Ben has released a very snazzy corporate branded pdf explaining in great detail how this is not his fault

https://images-gonortheast.passenger-web...6A%206.pdf


I particularly enjoyed this line

The whole document reads like an Apter mag from the 80s, where columnists would pretend to do Q&As with wrestlers (with their blessing) and pepper the articles with references to ongoing feuds and storylines in an attempt to maintain kayfabe

Sent from my SM-A526B using Tapatalk

(01 Nov 2023, 2:19 pm)Ambassador wrote Ben has released a very snazzy corporate branded pdf explaining in great detail how this is not his fault

https://images-gonortheast.passenger-web...6A%206.pdf


I particularly enjoyed this line

I think Dougal from Father Ted wrote that. Living in a dream there's so many inaccuracies. Saving bus routes in North Tyneside. Obviously the 11, 19 and 42 never existed. Highest paid in the region, wrong it's the same as Arriva Northumbria - for now, investment in new buses - where?, increased frequencies - where?

Don't like playing games, but jumped the gun with a 'deal', playing games. 

Pathetic, shows how weak management is in the bus industry. If this was most other industries the whole management team at GoNorthEast would be packing their bags by now.

Also just to add the worst line in the whole thing and most won't spot it is the line, 'invest in our drivers.' Just shows disdain that and objectifies them as a thing which can just be replaced like all assets. Very out of touch line.

No fan of Ben, but surely this is a line which requires further thought

"Away from the media spotlight, UNITE have confirmed to us that they would not want to swap their package of wages and conditions for that of Manchester or anywhere else. They want to keep their conditions fully as they are"

Surely the union didn't expect GNW wages without some terms changing?

(01 Nov 2023, 2:19 pm)Ambassador wrote Ben has released a very snazzy corporate branded pdf explaining in great detail how this is not his fault

https://images-gonortheast.passenger-web...6A%206.pdf


I particularly enjoyed this line

I hope it's not cost money or labour to produce that. It's perhaps the most embarrassing example of propaganda that I've seen distributed during a strike, and that includes from the Johnson Government...

I agree with the comment above about it being like a fictional Q&A. I'm starting to think BM is a full-time gimmick.

Him and Nigel seem to be forgetting that they've got to lead this workforce after all is said and done. There's going to be a hell of a lot of animosity to deal with here. It's a complete lack of professionalism.

Maybe we've found out who's really leading GNE, though?

(01 Nov 2023, 2:51 pm)DeltaMan wrote No fan of Ben, but surely this is a line which requires further thought

"Away from the media spotlight, UNITE have confirmed to us that they would not want to swap their package of wages and conditions for that of Manchester or anywhere else. They want to keep their conditions fully as they are"

Surely the union didn't expect GNW wages without some terms changing?

Why must better pay result in worse terms? A Union will always look to improve both.

Maxfield is again pushing back to this line about productivity, which I've seen spouted elsewhere and is nonsense.

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

(01 Nov 2023, 3:01 pm)Adrian wrote I hope it's not cost money or labour to produce that. It's perhaps the most embarrassing example of propaganda that I've seen distributed during a strike, and that includes from the Johnson Government...

I agree with the comment above about it being like a fictional Q&A. I'm starting to think BM is a full-time gimmick.

Him and Nigel seem to be forgetting that they've got to lead this workforce after all is said and done. There's going to be a hell of a lot of animosity to deal with here. It's a complete lack of professionalism.

Maybe we've found out who's really leading GNE, though?


Why must better pay result in worse terms? A Union will always look to improve both.

Maxfield is again pushing back to this line about productivity, which I've seen spouted elsewhere and is nonsense.

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

So why didn't the union a GNW ask for GNE terms if they are better?

(01 Nov 2023, 3:13 pm)DeltaMan wrote So why didn't the union a GNW ask for GNE terms if they are better?

Who knows, who's to say they didnt? It doesn't detract from what I've said in my post.

Most Unions will have this in their rulebook under objectives or similar. You can find this under 2.1.2 from Unite's:

"To defend and improve its members’ wages and working conditions including the pursuit of equal pay for work of equal value and extend collective bargaining. This being the best and most effective means of distributing wealth, improving the wages and conditions of workers, and giving workers collective power in the workplace. To help our members win in the workplace, using the union’s resources to assist in that process, and to support our members in struggle including through strike action."

So I'm not sure why any of this is a surprise to BM and NF.

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

Ben looks like a kid running a lemonade stand on his parents front lawn, except he's in charge of the regions biggest bus company right into the ground. An absolute moron

(01 Nov 2023, 2:19 pm)Ambassador wrote Ben has released a very snazzy corporate branded pdf explaining in great detail how this is not his fault

https://images-gonortheast.passenger-web...6A%206.pdf


I particularly enjoyed this line

I wonder if this statement came about because of this statement from Unite.

(01 Nov 2023, 7:45 am)xpm wrote A view from the UNITE side I came across: 

**COPIED**
For people that want to know what we have been putting up with from our so called employers who blame us as drivers for disrupting the public with the strikes...

Strike update:

There's been a lot of mud slinging online about the strike but here's the facts.
-------
TLDR: - This strike has been 5 month in the making and in that time GNE have attended only 12 DAYS OF TALKS.
Don't blame the drivers.

Blame Go North East and the Go Ahead Group who have allowed the ego of two senior managers cause milions of pounds of damage to the north east.
------
Timeline:

May - the union held meetings with workers to decide what they wanted and put together a pay claim that everyone agreed to.

June - the union submitted the play claim which was refused.

June 23rd - GNE sumbit a counter offer including equivalent of Go North West's terms but with woeful pay offer which there is no chance the drivers would accept. Rep's rejected this.

July 1st - the date that the claim should be put into place. At the time RPI was 11.4%.

July 7th - Unite held pay talks with GNE who had failed to produce any new offer and afterwards were described as a waste of time by reps.

July 9th - talks are called off by GNE so Unite call a provisional ballot from workers on if they are prepared to strike. They overwhelmingly vote to strike so official strike procedures start.

July 9th - September 11th - GNE refuse any offer of talks with Rep's as they feel that providing the option to strike is showing a lack of "good faith"

September 12th - workers again vote overwhelmingly to strike. With 97.92% voting to strike and an 83.37% turnout. UNITE submit their intention for 2, week long strikes.

September 25th - GNE finally return to the table but refuse to offer any meaningful changes or even accept the concerns of the workers. Talks continue until the 27th when talks break down.

September 30th - first week long strike takes place. GNE tells reps that they are too busy to meet while striking is taken place.

10th October - GNE tells rep's they are willing to talk on the 11th.

11th October - GNE removes their conditions from their offer which the understanding that they will discuss terms separately over the next three months on a depot by depot basis. This was refused by the reps as it was an attempt to divide the depots and weaken them. Talks collapse.

13th October - UNITE submits intention for indefinite strike from the 28th October.

14th October - second week long strike. Again GNE are too busy to talk while strike action is taking place.

23rd October - talks start again with no movement. Unconfirmed reports are on the 24th GNE offered the same deal but with 10.5% if the Reps agreed to endorse it which they refused.

25th October - "The Watershed Moment" GNE give a final offer of 10.3% [taking drivers to 1p above stagecoach drivers]. Rep's tell GNE that workers will not accept these terms but will put it to ballot to prove it.

GNE releases this deal to the press before rep's are able to inform their workers so most find this out over social media. Press runs that the strike is over and that Unite have agreed the deal. THIS IS CATEGORICALLY UNTRUE.

Unite hold an emergency ballot on this offer.

October 27th
Richard Holden MP (Under secratary for transport and NW Durham MP) Stands up in Parliament and announces GNE & Unite have come to an agreement. He was incorrect. As was his source.

October 27th - workers again overwhelmingly reject this offer with 81% and a 93% turnout.

October 28th - workers are back on the picket line on indefinite strike.  Conditions have caused this,,, they say no conditions, but make the condition that conditions will be discussed / implemented over the next 3 months, depot by depot.

Also no driver wants a 2 year deal / con.
It needs to be a one year deal, end of.
Hope this helps.

*** ***

Lots of mud slinging going on.

But whoever is being deceitful will certainly be shown up should any minutes ever be leaked.

(01 Nov 2023, 2:44 pm)Storx wrote Pathetic, shows how weak management is in the bus industry. If this was most other industries the whole management team at GoNorthEast would be packing their bags by now.

If we’re honest, if it was any other industry they wouldn’t have gotten the role in the first place

He seems like someone who had a tough childhood and is trying to get everyone to suffer like he did.

(01 Nov 2023, 7:29 pm)Unber43 wrote He seems like someone who had a tough childhood and is trying to get everyone to suffer like he did.

Nah. That actually gives him some sort of depth and makes him interesting.

The reality is more likely to be is that he applied to be on a graduate program, got accepted, and was assigned Featham as a mentor of sorts. Featham took a liking to him, so he attached himself to Featham, and became his disciple thus mirroring his behaviours on how to conduct business.

In many ways it's like reading one book, deciding that's the book for me, then disregarding all other books that have ever been written. While what you've read may hold some truth, it's doesn't hurt to broaden your horizons and learn other perspectives from time to time.

(01 Nov 2023, 7:28 pm)Ambassador wrote If we’re honest, if it was any other industry they wouldn’t have gotten the role in the first place

That's true mind. 

Mind there's some other big industries very similar. Retail in particular. The Morrison's management patting thereselves on the back because sales were up 5% or whatever it was is right up there with Ben Maxfield nonsense. Might seem good 5%, if food inflation hasn't been 10%+ for the past year.

Too many kids, without experience, being mentored by kids with little experience being mentored by a dinosaur. Can see it badly with GoNorthEast, this strike nonsense is from a 1970's/1980's playbook.

(01 Nov 2023, 8:48 pm)Storx wrote That's true mind. 

Mind there's some other big industries very similar. Retail in particular. The Morrison's management patting thereselves on the back because sales were up 5% or whatever it was is right up there with Ben Maxfield nonsense. Might seem good 5%, if food inflation hasn't been 10%+ for the past year.

Too many kids, without experience, being mentored by kids with little experience being mentored by a dinosaur. Can see it badly with GoNorthEast, this strike nonsense is from a 1970's/1980's playbook.

Morrisons has suffered from a private equity takeover, it used to have the best mentorship programme in the business. 

Buses are such a niche industry and it pays in terms of exec pay, pretty poorly, that you’ll never get top quality unless there’s a real passion for the industry driving it which of course drives lower quality throughout the whole group. 

Anyone half decent is swooped up by the group and sent somewhere important.

It’s an easy route into an exec role as well so you’ll see stuff like marketing and empty suits getting trumpeted (hence the nonsensical uk bus nominations)

(01 Nov 2023, 11:30 pm)Ambassador wrote Morrisons has suffered from a private equity takeover, it used to have the best mentorship programme in the business. 

Buses are such a niche industry and it pays in terms of exec pay, pretty poorly, that you’ll never get top quality unless there’s a real passion for the industry driving it which of course drives lower quality throughout the whole group. 

Anyone half decent is swooped up by the group and sent somewhere important.

It’s an easy route into an exec role as well so you’ll see stuff like marketing and empty suits getting trumpeted (hence the nonsensical uk bus nominations)

Aye some fair points, must admit it's not an area I've looked into comparing wages etc but not surprised to be fair. It's not exactly something you can just transfer skills across either.

(01 Nov 2023, 2:19 pm)Ambassador wrote Ben has released a very snazzy corporate branded pdf explaining in great detail how this is not his fault

https://images-gonortheast.passenger-web...6A%206.pdf


I particularly enjoyed this line

I love how he always starts his articles “Business Director Ben Mayfield…” maybe he has a split personality talking about himself in the third person.

He is completely out of his depth and unless he’s stupid or arrogant or both he must realise that he is making matters worse. And this article is just latest in a long line of publications that is without tact diplomacy and his no chance of making things better

(02 Nov 2023, 9:23 am)Coastliner700 wrote I love how he always starts his articles “Business Director Ben Mayfield…” maybe he has a split personality talking about himself in the third person.

He is completely out of his depth and unless he’s stupid or arrogant or both he must realise that he is making matters worse. And this article is just latest in a long line of publications that is without tact diplomacy and his no chance of making things better

From his LinkedIn Profile : 

Ben Maxfield
In their own words
Business Director Go North East | A positive, dependable and solutions orientated individual with a proven track record in transport and logistics management. I have a wealth of experience in delivering high levels of customer service and driving departments and business units to achieve success. Ben Maxfield, Linkedin

***

Err OK Pinocchio - I mean Ben, if you say so.

Has anyone on the forum ever met Ben or Nigel?

[quote="DeltaMan" pid="303253" dateline="1698924498"]
Has anyone on the forum ever met Ben or Nigel?
[/quote

(02 Nov 2023, 11:28 am)DeltaMan wrote Has anyone on the forum ever met Ben or Nigel?

I met Ben at a networking event for local employers around sustainable travel.

My colleague described him as 'very LinkedIn'

(02 Nov 2023, 11:32 am)Retro Nero wrote

(02 Nov 2023, 11:28 am)DeltaMan wrote Has anyone on the forum ever met Ben or Nigel?
[/quote

A relative who works for GNE spent some time with Nigel, not knowing it was him until later in the day, and said he was a very nice guy, very interested in other people's lives, and seemed pretty down to earth and cared about what he was doing and the company in general.

(02 Nov 2023, 12:01 pm)Ambassador wrote I met Ben at a networking event for local employers around sustainable travel.

My colleague described him as 'very LinkedIn'

I'd hope the linkedin style would not be used in pay talks with union reps that have seen and heard it all the last few years! But who knows

(02 Nov 2023, 9:23 am)Coastliner700 wrote I love how he always starts his articles “Business Director Ben Mayfield…” maybe he has a split personality talking about himself in the third person.

He is completely out of his depth and unless he’s stupid or arrogant or both he must realise that he is making matters worse. And this article is just latest in a long line of publications that is without tact diplomacy and his no chance of making things better

Ben will still go on to get a decent, high paid job at some other transport company. Even if he fails massively. Just doesn't matter at that level.

Saltwell Park Fireworks cancelled due to flooding. Does that mean A-line won't be running the Fireworks F1 Shuttles now?

(03 Nov 2023, 2:37 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Saltwell Park Fireworks cancelled due to flooding. Does that mean A-line won't be running the Fireworks F1 Shuttles now?

Can't see there being much demand to go to a flooded park on a Saturday night. 
So yeah, I'd hazard a guess the F1 Shuttles are probably not going to be running.

(03 Nov 2023, 2:53 pm)Andreos1 wrote Can't see there being much demand to go to a flooded park on a Saturday night. 
So yeah, I'd hazard a guess the F1 Shuttles are probably not going to be running.

Just clarifying, as I was going to picture/video them at Gateshead Interchange with A-line covering them (I'm not sure if A-line or GNE buses were going to be used), and I've not done them before.

Strikes, storms, what next?!

Curious if any buses will run on boxing day if the GNE strike lasts the full 12 weeks. Phoenix might run some, of the Arriva stuff but I'm not sure about the GNE stuff.

(03 Nov 2023, 2:57 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Curious if any buses will run on boxing day if the GNE strike lasts the full 12 weeks. Phoenix might run some, of the Arriva stuff but I'm not sure about the GNE stuff.

That is a tad presumptuous, considering none of the "Arriva" Boxing Day work has went out for tender yet.

(03 Nov 2023, 4:48 pm)RobinHood wrote That is a tad presumptuous, considering none of the "Arriva" Boxing Day work has went out for tender yet.

Other than the 308, of course!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk