(30 Oct 2023, 9:49 am)omnicity4659 wrote Can barely source drivers as it is, even with the closure of Arriva's operations at Walkergate. Drivers have had to be sourced from Slatyford, Sunderland and South Shields - and that's still not covering everything.
And to me, this is why bus companies should proceed with caution when drafting contentious communiques criticising their workforce for striking.
Forgetting the issue of terms and conditions for a minute, GNE could decide to try and force all existing drivers onto new contracts through a strategy of fire and rehire. But ultimately, it won't work as other companies are also desperate for employees to drive their vehicles, so the drivers who take the most umbrage at GNE for imposing new contracts, will end up walking thus leaving GNE in a position where they need to recruit even more drivers to replace the ones who have left.
Seemingly, it's impossible to get bus drivers for love nor money nowadays, so you'd think there'd be some managers out there who'd reflect upon that and look at different approaches on how to recruit, and more importantly, retain drivers. However, I think there are some managers who have the mindset of "You are lucky to have a job" or "It's an absolute privilege to work for our company", when clearly the opposite is true.