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Brighton and Hove bus strike looks likely
11:52am Thursday 5th June 2008
Comments (61)
By Lawrence Marzouk, Local Government Correspondent »
A bus strike in Brighton and Hove is looking inevitable after a final offer was rejected by drivers.
Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said a 6% average pay rise with a £300 lump sum was turned down by the Unite trade union yesterday.
He added that the 7.3% average increase requested by the union was "unreasonable" and, if agreed, the increased cost would have to be passed on to bus passengers through fares, which are already going to rise this summer because of the spiralling cost of diesel.
But Dave Weeks, regional industrial organiser with Unite, rejected the accusation, claiming the deal offered nothing new.
Mr French said: "The union has rejected what I thought was a very constructive offer.
"I do not see why the public should have to pay further fare increases for a double-inflation pay rise for drivers.
"Bus drivers in the city have had pay increases double the retail prices index in the past six years.
"There is a limit to how much we can continue with that."
Mr Weeks said: "The offer was no different, it was just moving money around, taking from one and giving to another.
"This is the Man United of the bus industry offering Derby County wages.
"At this stage, I do not think the pay increase would have to be passed on to passengers."
Bus drivers rejected a pay increase from the company ranging between 4% and 8% depending on drivers' length of service, last month.
The new offer would have put all drivers who had worked for the company for more than a year on the same wage from August.
But Unite said that because the company had not pledged extra cash, those who had worked the longest would receive a lower pay rise.
Under the scheme proposed by Mr French, veteran drivers would receive a 2.4% increase, along with a £300 lump sum, while Unite is calling for a 4% rise and wants the salary to be backdated to February.
Unite will meet with members this evening to discuss a 24 or 48-hour strike.
Mr Weeks said no decision had been taken but the union already had the mandate to call a strike after it voted in favour last month.
GMB union members accepted the previous deal.
Mr French said the company would do as much as it could to stop a strike from taking place by continuing to talk to the union.
Your Say YourArgus
brightonian, brighton says...
12:29pm Thu 5 Jun 08
4% and 8% rise? What are they complaining about? Striking should be a last resort, stop throwing your toys out the pram! When everyone's talking about traffic wardens being paid less than soldiers, these bus drivers can expect no sympathy. GET ON WITH IT.
stef, brighton says...
1:01pm Thu 5 Jun 08
so people will be waiting at bus stops with nothing turning up for ages??? sounds like the 5 to me! but will 3 arrive at once when the strike is over??
Steve, Brighton says...
1:06pm Thu 5 Jun 08
If they strike then sack them ! There are plenty of other people who would want to take their job.No member of staff is bigger than the company !
littlevoice, brighton says...
1:18pm Thu 5 Jun 08
IT'S SEEMS TO ME THIS IS ALL ANOTHER ROUND OF EXCUSES BY THE BUS COMPANY TO PUT UP FARES, MR FRENCH SEEMS TO BE ALL ABOUT PROFITS AND MAINTAINING THEM FOR HIS OWN SELF GLORY RATHER THAN BEING FAIR TO HIS WORKFORCE AND CUSTOMERS, WE ARE FACING DIFFICULT TIMES WITH THIS CREDIT CRUNCH BUT SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN A COMPANY LIKE BRIGHTON AND HOVE BUS COMPANY ARE MAKING MILLIONS OF POUNDS PROFIT EVERY YEAR SURELY TO LOSE SOME OF THAT PROFIT TO GIVE A FAIR WAGE THROUGHOUT ALL DRIVERS AND STAFF IS ONLY PROPER... I THINK IT STINKS THAT HE IS BLAMING ALL OF THIS ON DRIVERS AND OIL WHEN I BELIEVE THAT DIESEL AT GO A HEAD IS PRICE CAPPED FOR A FEW YEARS AT A TIME OR SO IT SAYS ON GO A HEADS WEBSITE.... SO THIS CONSTANT FARE RISING IS JUST WAFFLE AND MAKES THIS GOLDEN BOY NOT SO SHINY
Jeff, Brighton says...
1:20pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Can the bus lanes be opened to all cars then if there is going to be a strike? Plus, cars should be allowed to park in bus stops if there are no buses.
johnny dross, Brighton says...
1:25pm Thu 5 Jun 08
brightonian wrote:brightonian,
4% and 8% rise? What are they complaining about? Striking should be a last resort, stop throwing your toys out the pram! When everyone's talking about traffic wardens being paid less than soldiers, these bus drivers can expect no sympathy. GET ON WITH IT.
where is your sympathy? These bus drivers are single handedly saving the planet against the scourge of global warming. They are super heroes in my mind. (except when they are running over shoppers in north street of course) Bring forth the workers revolution!!
Someone, Brighton says...
1:27pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Dont believe everything you read in the paper, its just another attempt at turning the public against the drivers yet again. YOU GROW UP AND GET ON WITH IT.
Someone, Brighton says...
1:28pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Dont believe everything you read in the paper, its just another attempt at turning the public against the drivers yet again. YOU GROW UP AND GET ON WITH IT.
paul, brighton says...
1:42pm Thu 5 Jun 08
My new 4x4 never goes on strike.
The longer the busses are off the roads the better - maybe we'll get back our road that they have stolen as 'bus lane'.
The longer the busses are off the roads the better - maybe we'll get back our road that they have stolen as 'bus lane'.
Lemmola, says...
1:51pm Thu 5 Jun 08
6% and 300 quid...!!!? I would love that instead of the miserly 2.45% I've been offered.
Just a thought, on the fence says...
1:56pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I have a problem working this out. Over half of the total driving workforce have accepted the deal, but "unite" or "T&G" still think they have a mandate for strike action. Is it now a case of some union officials wanting a bigger ego rather than working for the drivers. This has dragged on way to long, the new deal is worse than the last one, take the old deal. You have 6 months to get a working relationship going with "ALL" drivers, who at the end of the day want the same thing.
Just me, Go Ahead says...
2:09pm Thu 5 Jun 08
On the Go Ahead website I read that profit is up 16.8%
revenue up 12.3%
earnings per share up 17.2%. Also fuel has been capped for quite a while. Now I would love to have my fuel bills capped for 3 years or so. Fare increases will be blamed on fuel and wages which to me is just a smokescreen. Greed is another word I would use.
revenue up 12.3%
earnings per share up 17.2%. Also fuel has been capped for quite a while. Now I would love to have my fuel bills capped for 3 years or so. Fare increases will be blamed on fuel and wages which to me is just a smokescreen. Greed is another word I would use.
Strugg Lynn, Brighton says...
2:16pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I have just spent a weekend in London using an Oystercard where a single busfare is 90p. Does Roger French buy such superior Fuel to LT that we have to pay so much more for a much inferior service and carriage? The fares as they are are crazy for a little city with big ideas and with more increases due, I believe we are being taken for mugs. I will take buses much less when the increase comes into force.
Tim, Hove says...
2:37pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I think it will be quite pleasant to have the roads free of the generally rude and aggressive bus drivers for a change.
Driver, Brighton says...
2:37pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Strugg Lynn wrote:Because its heavily subsidised by the London Borough and Government you tool. B&H is a private bus company with private investors, if it was run by the Government it would be non-profitable but it aint. B&H council only cover the millions of mickey taking countycard holders who 'some and alot' feel they have to make 15 journeys every day at 85 odd pence a go. You see where im going here, get your facts in place Strugg.
I have just spent a weekend in London using an Oystercard where a single busfare is 90p. Does Roger French buy such superior Fuel to LT that we have to pay so much more for a much inferior service and carriage? The fares as they are are crazy for a little city with big ideas and with more increases due, I believe we are being taken for mugs. I will take buses much less when the increase comes into force.
Major Blyth-Smith, 3rd Foot and Mouth, says...
2:40pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Strugg Lynn wrote:oh so true...
I have just spent a weekend in London using an Oystercard where a single busfare is 90p. Does Roger French buy such superior Fuel to LT that we have to pay so much more for a much inferior service and carriage? The fares as they are are crazy for a little city with big ideas and with more increases due, I believe we are being taken for mugs. I will take buses much less when the increase comes into force.
it all went wrong when B&H got the virtual monopoly on buses in this town.
lets hope this help the start up company thebiglemon.com, at least they manage to have very cheap fares.
Gladys, hove says...
2:41pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I am a pensioner and I will say it out loud I think the drivers do a wonderful job in Brighton and a responsible one at that.These price increases seem a bit excessive is this due to Roger French spending a couple of million on 20 new buses and a coach.... surely in these grim times you tighten your belt and make your workforce valued not buy shiny new buses
no strike, brighton says...
2:41pm Thu 5 Jun 08
How pathetic! Just get on with your job. My partner would love to have such a payrise, he would get the sack if he went on strike. His payrise doesnt even give us enough to increase our money for food by £3 per week. Stop moaning and do what you are paid to do.
ss, Brighton says...
2:41pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Firstly the busses are not saving the planet as the spue out diesel fumes, secondly B&H council could have gone for trams but could not be bothered. My pay rise was only 2+% and I had to live with that, they know how much they are going to make before they start the job so stop b*tching about it and do you job.
chris, Telscombe Cliffs says...
2:48pm Thu 5 Jun 08
The Bus drivers should think themselves lucky to get offered 6% AND a lump sum. Their lump sum is more than my whole expected pay rise and my husband isn't getting a payrise and hasn't for a couple of years. But then 0% of nought is still nought!!!!!!!!
gladys, says...
2:51pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I feel bus drivers are pilots of the roads and need respect not hateful words..... I'd love to know how much the bonus Roger French gets for keeping profits up and company morale low.... shame on you all for being nasty!
Roger, Brighton says...
3:45pm Thu 5 Jun 08
On the issue of "unions" versus "members" these bloggers have it completely wrong. The members are the union, there are no "union bosses" running things and telling members to go on strike whether they want ot or not. I speak as a union member and an officer in my union. Regarding sacking strikers - they can if certain forms are observed (i.e sack all strikers not just some)and all strikers know this. the fact that usually strikers are not sacked is because managers, however much they may bluster, know the value of their workforce and wouldn't care to lose them all at one time. To the worker who said they had only been offered 2.45% - I suspect you are in my union as that is our offer. You are currently being balloted on striking or accepting that offer. As with the busdrivers the choice is up to you.
Gill, Hove says...
4:14pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I could only dream of a 6% pay rise. The bus drivers need to come back down to reality. Times are tough for everyone, but the majority of us just have to get on with our jobs otherwise the whole country would come to a standed still if everyone striked about the money offered to them
Gladys, hove says...
4:32pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I think all these price increases whether it is food energy or bus prices are made worse by the millions of pounds profits these companies make.... maybe it should be less about greed and more about being fair to the consumer.
British man, last bus to whitehawk says...
4:39pm Thu 5 Jun 08
"There are plenty of other people who would want to take their job"
Yeah the Polish!!!
Yeah the Polish!!!
cherry, brighton says...
5:11pm Thu 5 Jun 08
To the person who was offered 2+% and wanted the drivers to stop ****! As the wife of one of those drivers, you need the facts before you comment. Firstly, the buses are "clean air cat convertors" this means they don't omit diesel fumes! Secondly, have a long think about your 2+% cos it's less than inflation! For those of you who don't get this, it means that everything we buy has gone up by in excess of this, meaning you are getting LESS in your wages this year than last in real terms! Finally, if you had seen the actual figures sheet offered and the small astrixes giving the real picture, you wouldn't be so quick to dismiss this action as unecessary. Ask yourself this, why should ANY of us work this year for money that buys us less this year than it did last year!!? Why should any one go to work to be verbally (and occasionally physically) abused by the general public who can't get their head around the fact that the traffic holding up everyone is the same traffic the buses can't get through - hence the buses running late! And before anyone says BUS LANES they are not that frequent and stop in the same congested places as the rest of us! Of course if cars etc didn't jump the lights and block junctions they would stand a chance of being more on time!
So to recap: the payrise is over 3 years; the money offered is lower than inflation because of this; the buses do NOT omit fumes; and most drivers want to, and do try to, treat passengers with the same respect they would like to receive themselves.
So to recap: the payrise is over 3 years; the money offered is lower than inflation because of this; the buses do NOT omit fumes; and most drivers want to, and do try to, treat passengers with the same respect they would like to receive themselves.
Kickyboxers, says...
5:49pm Thu 5 Jun 08
PLEASE let me know what day the strike is.
No rude drivers pulling out on you.
No speeding buses.
No gridlocked roads.
No bullying tactics by drivers 'Might is Right' rule.
No more lies on the back of buses 'Give way to buses' Highway code blah blah blah. IT DOES NOT SAY THAT - read it for youself and find out!!!!
Hurry for a stress free day in the future
No rude drivers pulling out on you.
No speeding buses.
No gridlocked roads.
No bullying tactics by drivers 'Might is Right' rule.
No more lies on the back of buses 'Give way to buses' Highway code blah blah blah. IT DOES NOT SAY THAT - read it for youself and find out!!!!
Hurry for a stress free day in the future
a driver, brighton says...
6:38pm Thu 5 Jun 08
lets hope the big boys at go-ahead come down and sort this out.its the jewell in the go-ahead crown,so sort it.lets hope the queen doesn't see the news or bang goes rogers knighthood .
Carer, Brighton says...
7:12pm Thu 5 Jun 08
I'm a care assistant, 6% would mean an extra 30p an hour for me, I'll be lucky to see 5p an hour extra. Due to the nature of my job, I can't strike.
I can understand the buses being held up by traffic during the day, but after 9 at night, when the roads are almost empty ?. The so called real time display the bus is due, then suddenly changes to 5 miinutes, or is stuck at 1 minute for about 5 minutes ?.
The worst thing ever was for B&H Buses to be given the monopoly on services in the area, we have to like it or walk !!
I can understand the buses being held up by traffic during the day, but after 9 at night, when the roads are almost empty ?. The so called real time display the bus is due, then suddenly changes to 5 miinutes, or is stuck at 1 minute for about 5 minutes ?.
The worst thing ever was for B&H Buses to be given the monopoly on services in the area, we have to like it or walk !!
The Man who Sees, Brighton says...
7:22pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Do not believe the ambiguous percentages you have seen published in the Argus so far. The true figures will be revealed shortly including the price that Brighton & Hove Bus Co. is currently paying for a litre of diesel which bears no resemblance to the pump price!
Angryman, hard at work says...
7:25pm Thu 5 Jun 08
The worse thing ever was to privatise the service!!!
Go Ahead made over 100 million profit last year!
If the buses were run by us, the people who use them and drive them, we could get rid of all the overpaid useless managers, cut the ticket costs for passengers and put all the profits back into the service instead of the backpockets of the rich who are laughing at us all. They're not affected by this credit crunch yet their the ONES WHO CAUSED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Plus I don't here many of you comparing MPs and their pay rises and expenses with bus drivers... who doing the more important job here?
Up the bus workers! Bring on the democratic socialist revolution!!!!
Go Ahead made over 100 million profit last year!
If the buses were run by us, the people who use them and drive them, we could get rid of all the overpaid useless managers, cut the ticket costs for passengers and put all the profits back into the service instead of the backpockets of the rich who are laughing at us all. They're not affected by this credit crunch yet their the ONES WHO CAUSED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Plus I don't here many of you comparing MPs and their pay rises and expenses with bus drivers... who doing the more important job here?
Up the bus workers! Bring on the democratic socialist revolution!!!!
Someone, says...
7:55pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Jeff wrote:No cos Ragecoach, Cattray liner and Metrobus still require them, plus if you`re parked in a bus stop it invalidates your insurance
Can the bus lanes be opened to all cars then if there is going to be a strike? Plus, cars should be allowed to park in bus stops if there are no buses.
Alan Weller, says...
7:58pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Tim wrote:Yeah you`ll have more rude and aggressive car drivers instead
I think it will be quite pleasant to have the roads free of the generally rude and aggressive bus drivers for a change.
littlevoice, brighton says...
8:18pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Seems reading the threads here that the consumer hasn't been given the full facts. Mr French comes out with the usual tripe and glosses over the facts thats he puts a new fleet of buses costing millions before his workforce while basking in the reflected glory of being GO A HEADS little money earner while ignoring his hard working drivers.... The mayor of London Boris Johnson goes to work by tube does Mr French travel by bus.Not likely he has a oil guzzling AUDI according to the Argus, no worries we help paid for it, prices should be lowered since diesel is price capped at Go A Head for years at a time. Mr French should run for PM he is giving so much spin to the public and making millions to boot.Greed over public necessity !!
whogivesa, Brighton says...
9:18pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Alan Weller wrote:No we won't as there will be a lot more room. I can't wait for the strike and I hope it last for months. Who would want to get on a bus with all those smelly people and drunks.
Tim wrote: I think it will be quite pleasant to have the roads free of the generally rude and aggressive bus drivers for a change.Yeah you`ll have more rude and aggressive car drivers instead
horse, says...
10:10pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Kickyboxers wrote:THIS IS A STATEMENT I SUSSPECT FROM A TAXI DRIVER,ALOWER FORM OF LIVE WHO CAN NOT SPEAK ENGLISH,UNLESS YOU DONT PAY HIM THE RIGHT AMONT OF MONEY FOR DRIVING YOU ROUND IN CIRCLES,
PLEASE let me know what day the strike is. No rude drivers pulling out on you. No speeding buses. No gridlocked roads. No bullying tactics by drivers \\\\\\\'Might is Right\\\\\\\' rule. No more lies on the back of buses \\\\\\\'Give way to buses\\\\\\\' Highway code blah blah blah. IT DOES NOT SAY THAT - read it for youself and find out!!!! Hurry for a stress free day in the future
horse, says...
10:30pm Thu 5 Jun 08
Steve wrote:sorry mate,the buses have a dedicated driving school ,because they cannot get enough drivers to cover all the shifts now,the turn over of staff is very high due to the job its self,shift patterns,drunks ,road works,nutters,hoodie
If they strike then sack them ! There are plenty of other people who would want to take their job.No member of staff is bigger than the company !
s,many people,try to become a bus driver but fail the very high standerd ,set by the public you.i love my job as a driver,it is a sign of the times today that i cannot suport my family on the wages i have .mabey i should go on the dole,and do nothink ,but be better off,as i would get a free bus pass,and no bills,please look out for the drivers as all they want is a fair wage for a fair days work,i thoght i was entitled to that as i cannot be entiltled to any think else as i am at the boottom of the food chain,
bobby bigballs, Brighton says...
1:23am Fri 6 Jun 08
I would'nt want to drive a bus around this area. Driving a car is bad enough so I think they deserve the rise - still looking forward to the strike when all the buses are off the roads, should be nice and quiet.
Me, here says...
4:31am Fri 6 Jun 08
whogivesa wrote:Who wants to walk down the street with all the smelly people and drunks either?
Alan Weller wrote:No we won't as there will be a lot more room. I can't wait for the strike and I hope it last for months. Who would want to get on a bus with all those smelly people and drunks.Tim wrote: I think it will be quite pleasant to have the roads free of the generally rude and aggressive bus drivers for a change.Yeah you`ll have more rude and aggressive car drivers instead
There won`t be any more room, as all the buses off the road will force more people to either drive or take a taxi which would cancel all that out. You can bet your bottom dollar that the bus lane cameras will still be working. Expect a bumper day`s takings for the council in bus lane fines. You still invalidate your insurance by parking in bus stops so really it`ll be no change except it`s way way more expensive to get anywhere unless you get on the two Stagecoach bus routes into Brighton, which will still be running.
I also expect the Big Lemon to make a killing that day
Lou, Brighton says...
8:53am Fri 6 Jun 08
I fail to see how people can make comments about how much bus drivers earn when they clearly don't know! I do and it's not nearly enough especially taking into accuont the verbal and physical abuse they get from some passengers and the traffic they have to contend with. Make an effort before you make a statement -check your facts!
me, says...
4:00pm Fri 6 Jun 08
lets hope this help the start up company thebiglemon.com, at least they manage to have very cheap fares.
They`ve just put their fares up 20%
lemonpip, brighton says...
5:42pm Fri 6 Jun 08
Brighton's buses have the public in a strangle hold becuase there is no real competition....so they will charge what they like, seems the head guy French is just making excuse after excuse but it is a low blow to blame the drivers, this guy is making millions on the back of ripping joe public off with the same lame excuses.Even successful business have a downturn but i guess that Roger French's ego just gets in the way of lateral thinking and it is all about maintaining the company profit at the extent of the public suffering unethical charges.Well lets all start walking it's the summer so enjoy it and let Mr French stew in his own juices.
An opinion, says...
10:27pm Fri 6 Jun 08
The ignorant outnumber the aware people on here I see. Shame that, had to laugh at people thinking buses being off the road would ease conjestions. lol Your probably right all those 4,000+ commuters won't bother going to work will they!. there'll just stay in bed or try and walk it wont they. And they wont' mind paying the equivalant of a days bus travel just to open the door of a poxy cab. Let alone drive anywhere.!!. And what cracked me up most was the statments about using bus lanes and parking in bus stops.. Well the former will almost certainly have the council rubbing there hands together from the extra fines. And as for parking in bus bus stops..The same stupid ignorant selfish morons will always do that buses or no buses..
peter taylor, brighton says...
8:31am Sat 7 Jun 08
horse wrote:What a prat "stress free day" yea right
Kickyboxers wrote:THIS IS A STATEMENT I SUSSPECT FROM A TAXI DRIVER,ALOWER FORM OF LIVE WHO CAN NOT SPEAK ENGLISH,UNLESS YOU DONT PAY HIM THE RIGHT AMONT OF MONEY FOR DRIVING YOU ROUND IN CIRCLES,
PLEASE let me know what day the strike is. No rude drivers pulling out on you. No speeding buses. No gridlocked roads. No bullying tactics by drivers \\\\\\\'Might is Right\\\\\\\' rule. No more lies on the back of buses \\\\\\\'Give way to buses\\\\\\\' Highway code blah blah blah. IT DOES NOT SAY THAT - read it for youself and find out!!!! Hurry for a stress free day in the future
BrightonCol, says...
9:39am Sat 7 Jun 08
cherry wrote:
To the person who was offered 2+% and wanted the drivers to stop ****! As the wife of one of those drivers, you need the facts before you comment. Firstly, the buses are "clean air cat convertors" this means they don't omit diesel fumes! Secondly, have a long think about your 2+% cos it's less than inflation! For those of you who don't get this, it means that everything we buy has gone up by in excess of this, meaning you are getting LESS in your wages this year than last in real terms! Finally, if you had seen the actual figures sheet offered and the small astrixes giving the real picture, you wouldn't be so quick to dismiss this action as unecessary. Ask yourself this, why should ANY of us work this year for money that buys us less this year than it did last year!!? Why should any one go to work to be verbally (and occasionally physically) abused by the general public who can't get their head around the fact that the traffic holding up everyone is the same traffic the buses can't get through - hence the buses running late! And before anyone says BUS LANES they are not that frequent and stop in the same congested places as the rest of us! Of course if cars etc didn't jump the lights and block junctions they would stand a chance of being more on time! So to recap: the payrise is over 3 years; the money offered is lower than inflation because of this; the buses do NOT omit fumes; and most drivers want to, and do try to, treat passengers with the same respect they would like to receive themselves.
Cherry ... the word is ' EMIT'
not OMIT .
For goodness sake, will Brightonians ever learn basic English ?
BrightonCol, brighton says...
9:46am Sat 7 Jun 08
peter taylor wrote:Posted by Horse,
horse wrote:What a prat "stress free day" yea rightKickyboxers wrote: PLEASE let me know what day the strike is. No rude drivers pulling out on you. No speeding buses. No gridlocked roads. No bullying tactics by drivers \\\\\\\'Might is Right\\\\\\\' rule. No more lies on the back of buses \\\\\\\'Give way to buses\\\\\\\' Highway code blah blah blah. IT DOES NOT SAY THAT - read it for youself and find out!!!! Hurry for a stress free day in the futureTHIS IS A STATEMENT I SUSSPECT FROM A TAXI DRIVER,ALOWER FORM OF LIVE WHO CAN NOT SPEAK ENGLISH,UNLESS YOU DONT PAY HIM THE RIGHT AMONT OF MONEY FOR DRIVING YOU ROUND IN CIRCLES,
THIS IS A STATEMENT I SUSSPECT FROM A TAXI DRIVER,ALOWER FORM OF LIVE WHO CAN NOT SPEAK ENGLISH,UNLESS YOU DONT PAY HIM THE RIGHT AMONT OF MONEY FOR DRIVING YOU ROUND IN CIRCLES,
ha ha ha ha ha !
cherry2, brighton says...
3:02pm Sat 7 Jun 08
BrightonCol wrote:Yes! You are right! Unfortunately, my husband is a bus driver so we couldn't afford a dictionary! The fact that I am not English could also be a good excuse for my error! I am pleased by the fact that this is the only thing you found it necessary to comment on though!By the way did you know that the price of diesel to B&H is capped for 3 years and that they only pay 55p a litre + 9p excise duty for it!!
cherry wrote: To the person who was offered 2+% and wanted the drivers to stop ****! As the wife of one of those drivers, you need the facts before you comment. Firstly, the buses are \"clean air cat convertors\" this means they don\'t omit diesel fumes! Secondly, have a long think about your 2+% cos it\'s less than inflation! For those of you who don\'t get this, it means that everything we buy has gone up by in excess of this, meaning you are getting LESS in your wages this year than last in real terms! Finally, if you had seen the actual figures sheet offered and the small astrixes giving the real picture, you wouldn\'t be so quick to dismiss this action as unecessary. Ask yourself this, why should ANY of us work this year for money that buys us less this year than it did last year!!? Why should any one go to work to be verbally (and occasionally physically) abused by the general public who can\'t get their head around the fact that the traffic holding up everyone is the same traffic the buses can\'t get through - hence the buses running late! And before anyone says BUS LANES they are not that frequent and stop in the same congested places as the rest of us! Of course if cars etc didn\'t jump the lights and block junctions they would stand a chance of being more on time! So to recap: the payrise is over 3 years; the money offered is lower than inflation because of this; the buses do NOT omit fumes; and most drivers want to, and do try to, treat passengers with the same respect they would like to receive themselves.Cherry ... the word is \' EMIT\' not OMIT . For goodness sake, will Brightonians ever learn basic English ?
Carer, Brighton says...
2:39pm Sun 8 Jun 08
horse wrote:I have seen an advert for bus drivers, offering over £300 a week !. Thats two weeks wages for me. You should try cleaning up peoples body wastes, looking after people who can't look after themselves anymore, all for about 50p more than the minimum wage.
Steve wrote: If they strike then sack them ! There are plenty of other people who would want to take their job.No member of staff is bigger than the company !sorry mate,the buses have a dedicated driving school ,because they cannot get enough drivers to cover all the shifts now,the turn over of staff is very high due to the job its self,shift patterns,drunks ,road works,nutters,hoodie s,many people,try to become a bus driver but fail the very high standerd ,set by the public you.i love my job as a driver,it is a sign of the times today that i cannot suport my family on the wages i have .mabey i should go on the dole,and do nothink ,but be better off,as i would get a free bus pass,and no bills,please look out for the drivers as all they want is a fair wage for a fair days work,i thoght i was entitled to that as i cannot be entiltled to any think else as i am at the boottom of the food chain,
SUM1, brighton says...
8:31am Mon 9 Jun 08
To all those arrogant people who are saying just get on with it i had to accept a 2+%.BIGGER FOOLS YOU. How can people be so deluded?. The bus drivers in brighton are subject to all sorts of unacceptable behavior by a very high percentage of passengers.Yet they carry on with it. WAKE UP JOE PUBLIC these drivers are people just like us, NOT BLOODY ROBOTS. Ask yourselves how you would feel having to go without the toilet for 5 hours, Could you keep wearing a smile? NO i thought not. There is so much more to their job than alot of you realise, and taxis,cars and motorbikes who insist on parking on the bus stops and blocking up the bus lanes only add to the pressures of the job.
SO TAKE A LONG HARD LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS THESE GUYS AND GIRLS PUT UP WITH AND ASK IN COMPARISON WHEN IS IT THAT YOU GET SPAT ON, PUNCHED,THREATENED AND ABUSED BEHIND YOU BLOODY OFFICE DESKS?
These drivers are amongst the best in the world we should have nothing but respect and admiration for them, without them many people could not go about there every day lives, there would be more cars more pollution causing more congestion and **** right foolish driving from impatient drivers, drivers who i suspect are leaving these comments about getting on with it.
The Fact is the bus drivers in brighton are the un-sung heros of our city and they deserve a decent pay rise, and i salute you for finally standing up to your bully of an MD Mr French, Maybe this is just what he needs to bring him and his bloody v8 audi paid for by the hard work you do! into the bloody real world.
go ahead with this strike stand up and be counted i can assure you there are a hell of alot of people behind you.
GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE YOU HAVE GOOD WEATHER FOR YOUR PICKIT LINES.
SO TAKE A LONG HARD LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS THESE GUYS AND GIRLS PUT UP WITH AND ASK IN COMPARISON WHEN IS IT THAT YOU GET SPAT ON, PUNCHED,THREATENED AND ABUSED BEHIND YOU BLOODY OFFICE DESKS?
These drivers are amongst the best in the world we should have nothing but respect and admiration for them, without them many people could not go about there every day lives, there would be more cars more pollution causing more congestion and **** right foolish driving from impatient drivers, drivers who i suspect are leaving these comments about getting on with it.
The Fact is the bus drivers in brighton are the un-sung heros of our city and they deserve a decent pay rise, and i salute you for finally standing up to your bully of an MD Mr French, Maybe this is just what he needs to bring him and his bloody v8 audi paid for by the hard work you do! into the bloody real world.
go ahead with this strike stand up and be counted i can assure you there are a hell of alot of people behind you.
GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE YOU HAVE GOOD WEATHER FOR YOUR PICKIT LINES.
zz, brighton says...
8:59am Mon 9 Jun 08
Blimey... perhaps we should knight all brighton busdrivers for their tireless work for the community.
They obviously do more than carers, nurses, teachers etc
They obviously do more than carers, nurses, teachers etc
Pro - Driver, Brighton & Hove says...
3:02pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Roger French has indeed been very economical with the truth (as usual). The pay deal is over three years,which equates to a measly 2% each year - whoopee! As so many have already stated the Go-Ahead group gets its diesel at a very competitive rate and its capped, so to use the driver's well earned pay negotiations as an excuse to raise ticket prices is criminal - in fact I'm sure its music to Roger French's ears that the pathetic pay deal has been rejected as he doesn't need to think of another excuse to put up the ticket price. He can just blame his loyal, hardworking workforce - why not 'eh!
I hope they do strike - I would love to see Roger driving a bus for the day - or is he above all that?
I hope they do strike - I would love to see Roger driving a bus for the day - or is he above all that?
lemonpip, brighton says...
4:08pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Obviously the bus company does so well because they charge so much and yet pay so little for diesel not so much of a great local company making good .... we are being ripped off big time, everybody should start walking now. Roger French hang your head in shame and explain to us why you are contantly raising the prices on false claims of diesel, remember you keep streching a piece of elastic and eventaully it will snap just like your community consumer! GREEDY!!
Disgruntled busman, says...
10:34pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Pro - Driver wrote:He doesn`t have a PCV license. He should enrol in the training school then see what it`s really like
Roger French has indeed been very economical with the truth (as usual). The pay deal is over three years,which equates to a measly 2% each year - whoopee! As so many have already stated the Go-Ahead group gets its diesel at a very competitive rate and its capped, so to use the driver's well earned pay negotiations as an excuse to raise ticket prices is criminal - in fact I'm sure its music to Roger French's ears that the pathetic pay deal has been rejected as he doesn't need to think of another excuse to put up the ticket price. He can just blame his loyal, hardworking workforce - why not 'eh! I hope they do strike - I would love to see Roger driving a bus for the day - or is he above all that?
Kickyboxers, says...
9:59pm Tue 10 Jun 08
driver, brighton says...
12:21pm Thu 5 Jun 08