Bus strike drivers in Cornwall claim First bosses won't negotiate

Bus drivers for First Bus - Kernow are claiming that meetings to negotiate better pay and to avoid industrial action have been frustrated by the insistence of the bus firm that certain 'conditions' must be met before any offers can be agreed.

It is also claimed by members of the RMT union that the company is using the delay in pay increases to make it look as if their offer is bigger than it actually is.

Barry West, Regional Organiser for the RMT in Cornwall said: "Members do not have any faith that the Company would honour any future agreement on dates for future rises, especially as this year the company has moved pay anniversary twice already.

"Originally April, then September, and now December.

"Trust is low."

Strikers are claiming that the current offer of an increase to £13 from December 4, only equates to an increase of 5.8% for the year from April 2022 and not the 17.6% Simon Goff, Managing Director for First South West is claiming.

Barry West continued: "If we could get the counter offer backdated or a negotiated settlement to September 2022 and then either renegotiate next March or agree on a form of words then I have confidence we could resolve this dispute.

"We have been denied the opportunity to meet with the company as a negotiating committee and Simon Goff has remained elusive and difficult to work with especially as there are always preconditions that stifle debate or any meaningful dialogue.

"We have advised the company repeatedly that we are available for negotiations and to meet any day up until next Friday with the Company and ACAS."

Striking bus drivers in Truro (Image: Barry West)

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Simon Goff, Managing Director for First South West, said: "We are disappointed that the RMT have taken the decision to continue with yet more industrial action this coming Friday 18th November and Monday 21st November.

"This will mean that there will be disruption to many of our Buses of Somerset and Cornwall by Kernow services. Customers should go to our website and social media feeds for the latest information on which services will be running.

"We would like to apologise for the disruption that our customers may experience during the strikes.

"We have improved our offer because we want to resolve this dispute.

"The offer is a great deal for our staff, worth 17.6% over the next two years, and this follows increases to pay throughout the pandemic.

"We are disappointed that RMT are not prepared to put the improved offer to the members, denying them the chance to have their say. 

"We are not proposing pay cuts or pay freezes or any changes to roles.

"The pandemic has had an impact on our business and travel patterns have changed.

"So far, we have yet to recover our pre-COVID patronage.

"Despite this, and in recognition of the cost of living crisis, we are still prepared to put this great offer to our staff.

"The door remains very much open for the RMT to meet with us to find a settlement.

"It is very clear that the vast majority of our staff want to accept this deal and move on but this will be challenging if the RMT continue to refuse to ballot their members on this great offer."