Norwich busworkers strike

Submitted by martin on 9 January, 2003 - 9:29

By Patrick Yarker
No sign of a strike for months, then three come along at once. After recent action by NATFHE and FBU members in the city, TGWU members have embarked on a week-long strike to fight the latest attack on their working-conditions by transport company First Eastern Counties.
The company is trying to level down already arduous working-conditions by attempting to cut paid breaks to drivers and rescheduling duties so that drivers would be forced to spend five hours behind the wheel without a break. Needless to say, the company claim this attempt to make drivers work longer hours for even less money (pay can be as low as £5.50 per hour) is "modernisation". TGWU Branch Secretary Ray Ford reported that his members were solidly behind the official strike action. Pickets at the Vulcan Street depot were on duty from 4.00am First Bus had resorted to attempting to run a few services with agency drivers, some of whom refused to cross picket-lines. Bus-users had been leafleted about the safety-implications of First Bus's cuts, and members of the public were showing support for the pickets, whose morale remained high despite freezing temperatures. The week-long action ends Sunday 12 January.

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