(31 Oct 2021, 6:13 am)Dan wrote I think the world is in a different place now, especially with the labour shortage - operators cannot cover their own work, let alone the work of other operators.

Regardless, we've discussed elsewhere on the forum that the current driver shortage could have a huge negative impact on the great work that's been achieved by operators in trying to build back passenger numbers and increase revenue. Can't the exact same be said about industrial action?

If it has a negative impact on passenger numbers, and in turn revenue, then the desired payrise is going to be even less likely to be affordable. There seems to be little in the way of joined up thinking, purely looking at the here and now and immediate benefit rather than thinking longer term. Trade unions for many years have recommended offers of 2% and members accepted them - that was when bus operators were in a much stronger position financially. Now passenger numbers have dropped off a cliff and revenue has been severely impacted making operators loss-making businesses, they're wanting to fight for more? As I say, I'm in favour of trade unions fighting for the best they can achieve in normal circumstances, but this reeks. I know industrial action is a last resort, but there's a lot of animosity on the ground among staff at bus companies at the moment, largely driven by the pay dispute. I have known drivers leave and move to independent operators (for less pay) purely because they're sick and tired of it all...

Agree that the driver shortage can and is having a huge negative impact on the work that's been done in building back passenger numbers, and I also agree that industrial action creates an air of uncertainty for customers, which isn't good for those you've just encouraged to start using public transport etc. It takes two to tango though. I know that neither the company nor the Union actually want to take industrial action, and agree it's an absolute last resort, but sometimes a necessary resort when there's a complete breakdown of negotiation or relations.  I've been involved in taking members out in dispute in the past and its never been a decision taken lightly, and without consideration of the wider impact and consequences.

I can't really comment on the offers as I've never seen them in the finer details. In my experience though, often the headline figure does not tell the full story, as employers (and Unions for that matter) like to add conditions onto an offer. Whether that be changes to working practices to the detriment or benefit, changes to working hours, changes to performance and progression systems and so on. I would however reiterate the point that we've had over a decade of wage squeeze now, which the majority of the private sector has contributed towards. It was always going to crack at some point.

I think operators need to look a lot harder than potential trade disputes of reasons why people are leaving though. I read something last week that there are over 4,000 vacancies for bus drivers across the UK at the moment, with it being reported that drivers are leaving 'in their droves' for better-paid HGV jobs. I realise that the current DVSA industrial action is playing a part in the backlog of getting paperwork through, but the high turnover of staff in the industry has been a problem for years. No one has really tried to solve it, as there's always been an influx of as many coming in as those that are going out through those revolving doors.

When the two industries offer largely the same Victorian-era working-standards for drivers, it's always going to come down to pay, and also the added bonus that you don't have to work with the general public when driving a HGV.

Last point I'd make is that we shouldn't forget that key workers (such as bus drivers) have been lauded throughout this pandemic, and rightly so. The endless clapping, thank yous and other plaudits simply do not pay the bills though, and its up to those businesses (and Government for the Public Sector) to put their money where their mouth was now. The NHS has only been offered a measly 3% after over a decade of pay restraint, and being forced to work in dangerous conditions throughout the pandemic without adequate PPE.

(31 Oct 2021, 10:57 am)Andreos1 wrote This isn't a new thing though. It's not unique to pay disputes and there are many reasons why drivers leave to go to an independent.

Independents need to get drivers from somewhere (they wouldn't exist otherwise) and if they can offer something that a big operator can't and it ticks the drivers motivating factor, then good luck to them.

Also when it comes down to being a race to the bottom over pay rates, you lose any kind of loyalty from your workforce. I can imagine people would join independents for an easier life, given some of the conditions and working hours they're asked to work under with larger operations. The likes of GCT might prove more attractive with a more 'laid-back' approach to operating (and everything else)

You see it all the time with the likes of call centres popping up, where there's no loyalty and people will keep hopping around the same business park in hope of getting an extra 10p an hour.