Aberdeen Trades Union Council sends support and solidarity to Unite members in First Aberdeen who will begin an overtime ban
from Friday 16th
March followed by a series of one day strikes, culminating in a week-long
strike from 26th
March.
ATUC is calling on all affiliates and supporters not to use First Aberdeen buses on strike days, in solidarity with striking workers.
The dispute is a result of imposed changes to terms and
condition in pay, overtime rates, sick pay, removal of paid breaks and longer
working days with split shifts.
The imposed changes will lead to cuts in pay for workers
ranging from 10% to 23% depending on the level of overtime worked.
The vote for action was overwhelming. Unite members voted
95% in favour of action and action short of strike in an 81% turnout.
Unite regional officer, Willie Wallace said: “First Bus
is arguing that they need these changes to stem the decline in their
financial performance, but when Unite put alternative suggestions for making
the savings to the company, these were rejected.
"Our members have shown by the high vote for industrial
action, how angry they are with First Bus around the imposition of these cuts
and have been forced, reluctantly, to withdraw their labour.
“We have a situation where a two-tier workforce has meant
new starts are employed on lesser terms and conditions than those on older
contracts. This needs to stop and our members have made this clear with this
result.
“First Aberdeen should reconsider Unite’s proposals which
would halt this action.”