Members of the union Unite at First South Yorkshire are planning to stage a series of strikes across Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield during October 2009, in a row over work conditions, pay and disciplines. If the strike action goes ahead there will be no First bus services operating in South Yorkshire on strike days.
The days that have been planned for strike action are the following,
-
Monday 12th October
-
Monday 19th October
-
Monday 26th October
In addition to the above 3 strikes, the union Unite has also mentioned that there will be another 3, 24 hour strikes during October for staff at the Olive Grove depot in Sheffield only. These days are the following,
-
Thursday 15th October
-
Friday 16th October
-
Saturday 17th October
The planned strikes by Olive Grove will mean that all services within Sheffield and parts of Rotherham that are currently served by Olive Grove services will not run on the 3 days listed above. Services within Sheffield which are operated out of the Midland Road depot in Rotherham will be unaffected by this strike, and for clarification, Midland Road depot operate the following services within Sheffield,
Line |
Destination |
14 |
Herringthorpe to Meadowhall via Rotherham |
17 |
Sheffield to Meadowhall via Fox Hill and Parson Cross |
21 |
Rotherham to Sheffield via Kiveton Park and Killamarsh |
23/23A |
Rotherham to Sheffield via Dinnington and Handsworth |
24 |
Rotherham to Sheffield via Dinnington and Handsworth |
28 |
Meadowhall to Killamarsh via Woodhouse and Waterthorpe |
30 |
Dore to Waterthorpe via City Centre (daytimes only) |
31 |
Rotherham to Meadowhall via Canklow and Brinsworth |
32 |
Rotherham to Sheffield via Brinsworth and Manor Top |
43 |
Rotherham to Meadowhall via Kimberworth Park |
43A |
Rotherham to Meadowhall via Kimberworth Park |
66 |
Rotherham to Sheffield via Chapeltown and High Green |
69 |
Rotherham to Sheffield via Tinsley and Attercliffe |
206 |
Rotherham to Sheffield via Dinnington and Darnall |
X78 |
Doncaster to Sheffield via Rotherham and Meadowhall |
In July Unite rejected an offer by First South Yorkshire of a 2.95% pay increase based on productivity improvements.
Brandon Jones, Deputy MD for First South Yorkshire, said: "I urge the Unite Union to suspend strike action and join us in talks to settle this dispute. We remain open to negotiation but this has to be subject to productivity improvements as First South Yorkshire has no available money to fund a stand alone pay increase, let alone the 28% pay increase claim asked for by the Union. The trade union need to open their eyes, with unemployment in the Yorkshire region increasing by 21% in the last three months and many companies asking for staff to take pay cuts. Further strike action will only inconvenience customers and further increase the risk to our business and staff in South Yorkshire as well as costing drivers in lost pay."
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is advising the public to make use of its Traveline service in advance of industrial action by drivers at First South Yorkshire.
David Brown, SYPTE Director General, said: “It is disappointing that the travelling public have to face another few days of widespread disruption. We would urge both sides in the dispute to come to the table and attempt to resolve their differences."
Anyone wanting advice on their travel options this coming Saturday, or indeed any other day, can call Traveline on 01709 51 51 51 or they should visit  www.travelsouthyorkshire.com where they will be able to find information on all aspects of public transport.
For further details please visit www.travelsouthyorkshire.com or www.firstmainline.co.uk
Thanks,
Staff at South Yorkshire Transport
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