Strike action imminent at Lothian Buses after offer rejection
Unite the union said today that more than 1,700 members are ready to take discontinuous strike action during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival after rejecting an offer from the city’s bus company Lothian by 59.4 per cent.
Lothian Buses had offered a 2.7 per cent pay increase and further measures designed to improve the workplace culture. This included bringing in external experts to assist management and the workforce. The strike action will now commence from 3 a.m. on 2 August.
The dispute stems from poor workplace relations, and a bullying and hostile culture at Lothian Buses by management. Staff were subjected to unfair treatment and longstanding procedural agreements were regularly breached which directly affected the terms and conditions of Unite’s membership. Unite has been involved in negotiations with Lothian Buses under the auspices of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) as part of efforts to find a resolution to the dispute.
Unite regional industrial officer, Mr Lyn Turner, said: “Unite’s 1700 strong Lothian Buses membership has democratically voted to reject the latest offer from management. There has been progress made in our negotiations through Acas but yesterday’s vote is testimony to the fact that this was never about pay.
“The depth of feeling from our membership about the toxic management culture speaks for itself. Our members have considered the latest offer too little and too late. Unite remains committed to finding a resolution to the dispute and our door remains open for talks but as things stand the action will go ahead on 2 August.”
The bus company is wholly owned by the council to whom it is answerable. Transport and Environment Convener Lesley Macinnes said this on Twitter : “Deeply regrettable that it has come to this and real dismay at prospect will be felt across Edinburgh. Urgent meetings will follow to try to avert possible action and bring some stability to the situation.”
Last night Lothian tweeted this statement :
Here is some information for our customers on potential strike action from 2 August.
— Lothian Buses (@on_lothianbuses) July 26, 2019
Please keep an eye on our facebook and twitter feeds for updates and further information. pic.twitter.com/ZpjOcCSaN0
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