Strikes by bus drivers for disabled children suspended ahead of further talks

Further industrial action by bus drivers for disabled children in a dispute over pay has been called off today, with talks between arbitration service ACAS, trade unions and the council planned for this Friday.

Members of Unite formed picket lines this week over their claim for £50 a week compensation for workers doing split shifts, backdated to July last year.

Arbitrated negotiations represent a positive step after relations between the union and the Town Hall soured when managers called a meeting with drivers to remind them of already-existing employment benefits, following which the unions added two extra days of strike action.

Onay Kasab, regional officer for Unite, said: “We are very pleased to be able to confirm today that further strike action has been suspended pending ACAS facilitated talks due to take place this Friday.

“The council have confirmed that talks will include pay, which is absolutely fundamental in settling this dispute.

“The council should take the suspension of the strike action as an act of good faith on our part and we very much hope that this will be reciprocated through meaningful negotiations.

“On the picket line we heard from our members about how they are struggling with pay and the extra difficulties involved in working a split shift system, where sometimes staff do not even go home after the morning shift and instead wait at the depot for hours until the afternoon shift.”

Kasab went on to express gratitude to those showing solidarity with the picketers, which included teachers unions, the National Shop Stewards Network, the trades council and trade union reps from outside the borough, and warned of further industrial action if financial compensation was not made part of the settlement for drivers working split shifts.

Cllr Chris Kennedy (Lab, Hackney Wick), cabinet member for families, early years and play, said: “We’re pleased that the union has called off its ongoing strike action in relation to the SEND transport service.

“This is an important service, staff do a great job and the disruption has caused significant inconvenience to the pupils and families who rely on it. We look forward to continuing our discussions with the union.”

Industrial action by the drivers had been previously set for 27 and 28 March, and then on 2 and 4 April.