(28 Oct 2023, 7:31 pm)Ambassador wrote Since we’re going to get a centre left or left wing Metro Mayor with  I’d enforce a colleague contract with minimum obligations on both sides

A colleague forum which is consulted and engaged on key decisions (keyword consulted and engaged not running the show but more than tokenism)

Agreed working practices and hours, a set living wage

Basic as that. Value your colleagues and they will return the favour. Basically do the opposite of Bensham (of which every single manager would be sacked (based on independent review) or if potential is seen, retrained up to a minimum people management standard with a CIPD qualification in all areas (from engineering to the top) 

CIPD means naff all in the grand scheme of things. 
It's a couple of letters that doesn't change a culture or the personality of the organisation. 
Imo it carries as much weight as a bus industry back patting award. 
It might look good. But it means nothing. 

The only thing that could fix bus operations in the NE (and beyond) is a huge sweeping brush. The biggest sweeping brush you've ever seen and once the floor is clean, then they can start from the bottom up.
People often talk about football clubs being rotten to the core. Managers come and go, yet the same issues persist.