(30 Oct 2021, 1:55 pm)Adrian wrote "Drivers offered a deal that would see pay being increased by 4% since the start of the pandemic"
So I wonder is that 4% over a two-year deal backdated? Or 4% for this year, when I assume nothing was offered last?

Bit cheap to point at GMB accepting the deal. It's as much their prerogative to accept one as Unite's not to accept one.

They got 2% last year (a previous two-year deal), and I believe this is another 2% for this year - so the 4% line isn’t inaccurate but slightly misleading and clearly quoted for effect.

That said, the offer is probably the best out of the three (believe neither Arriva nor Go North East received payrises last year and the latter are at a 3.5% offer currently).

When it’s quite clear that all three operators are loss-making currently, my personal view is that the current offers on the table at all three operators are acceptable and should be taken on a six-month basis (rather than a year), then further talks continue at that point when certainty of revenue in the wider context of a BSIP is more guaranteed.

It does seem like Unite’s ambition is to have Arriva Northumbria, Go North East and Stagecoach all participating in industrial action at the same time. I’m in favour of trade unions fighting for better pay and conditions for their members (and in turn the wider workforce) but I’m not sure it sits right with me that industrial action is seemingly being coordinated and there’s a dispute over money that the companies simply do not have at this time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk