Bradford bus strike

Bradford bus drivers have voted overwhelmingly for strike action over First West Yorkshire’s continuation of ‘dangerously unsustainable’ scheduling, Unite said today (December 9).

Out of the 350 bus drivers at the Bowling Back Lane site entitled to vote, nearly 300 voted in favour of strike action against the company’s refusal to restore schedules to pre-pandemic levels.

Unite said traffic and service levels have returned to near normal but members are still working extended shifts brought in during the initial lockdown.

The working patterns currently in place are causing fatigue and stress for drivers, which is a danger to both themselves and the public.

In the interests of the public, the drivers have decided to wait until after the New Year to announce strike dates.

Unite regional officer Darren Rushworth said, “Unite members at First West Yorkshire’s Bowling Back Lane site have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action over their dangerously unsustainable schedules.

“The drivers are well aware of the trying year everybody has had and have decided to wait until after Christmas before going on strike, so people are not inconvenienced,” he added.

“In the interim period, we urge First West Yorkshire to restore prior working agreements and guarantee they will not be eroded in future.

“The conditions drivers are currently operating under are unsafe for themselves and the public and if First West Yorkshire continues to disregard this, then industrial action will go ahead in the New Year.”

By Ryan Fletcher