Chronicle Report: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...g-31022860
Go North East buses facing strike vote in row on safety and treatment of staff
Union Unite has issued a strongly-worded statement after a number of rows between staff and management at Go North East, which has depots in Tyneside, Northumberland and County Durham
More than 1,000 workers at public transport firm Go North East could be balloted on strike action after a row with the firm over safety and treatment of staff.
Unite the Union say drivers and engineers at depots in Tyneside, Northumberland and County Durham have been threatened with dismissal, suspended and sent home from work when health and safety issues are raised.
Safety issues, including CCTV now working on the top floor of double decker buses, have been raised by staff and the union says that members of staff who had raised health and safety concerns were sent home from work with some of them given final written warnings. Unions also allege that the company’s higher standard buses are being sent to the North West, where its parent group Go Ahead has recently won a major contract.
The threat of a strike will concern commuters after a strike on Go North East buses in 2023 caused huge disruption and damage to the regional economy.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Go North East has a track record of appalling management practices but it has plumbed new depths with this latest reign of terror that has seen workers, including union reps, forced to sign paperwork under threats of dismissal. We have members who have been threatened with dismissal or forced to resign due to such Dickensian working practices and despite attempts by our reps and officers to find a way forward, such a vindictive approach to the workforce has left little choice but to consult with our membership on next steps.”
The 2023 industrial action on Go North East cost the region an estimated £10m as people were unable to get to work, school and college, and medical appointments. Drivers, engineers and other staff at Go North East staged seven weeks of strike action from late September, including a continuous five-week walkout, before a deal was struck in a pay dispute.
A Go North East spokesperson said: “Go North East is committed to ensuring the highest safety standards at all times. Recently, we introduced safety briefings for drivers to reinforce best practices, for example to ensure that double deck buses are not driven on routes with low bridges in case it leads to bridge strikes. Safety standards of this nature are essential for protecting our passengers.
“Over 99% of drivers supported this but a very small number of drivers (seven out of 1300) initially declined to sign up to the safety standards or provide assurances that they would adhere to these safe ways of working. In accordance with our established procedures, these drivers were temporarily suspended. However, the issue was resolved, and the suspensions lifted.”
Go North East is one of the region’s main public transport operators, with the company saying that around 175,000 journeys are made on its buses each day.
Who writes these comments for the company? "Recently, we introduced safety briefings for drivers to reinforce best practices, for example to ensure that double deck buses are not driven on routes with low bridges in case it leads to bridge strikes" - I'd say it's little more than best practice to avoid hitting a bridge!