busWorkeR October 2008

20p ISSUE

BUSWORKER
TWO
October
2008

After bosses run to the courts...

we can still
win this fight
by Paul Brandon Unite Union rep
Holloway garage (personal capacity)
INTERVIEW: Steve O’Rourke

I
t’s been an historic couple of
weeks for London bus workers. ‘Red lights are
followed by green!’
From strikes on 10 October
by 5,000 drivers at Metroline
and First, to a judge in the High
Court denying 1,000 drivers
at Metrobus their democratic Busworker (BW) turning out to be a very
decision to join their colleagues interviewed Steve bitter dispute.
on the picket line. O’Rourke (SO) Chair, The union is not about
of London Advisory to abandon its members
This was then followed by more Committee and Chair and will continue its fight
legal threats by the companies London bus conference. for what is only just and
and the suspension of strike right—equal pay and good
action on the 22 October by Unite. BW: With the bus strikes conditions for all bus
The strikes would have made a called off on 22 October, workers across London.
huge impact and the companies where now for the London We have been given a
knew it. Some 14,000 London bus workers’ campaign? mandate from our members
bus drivers from eight companies SO: It’s unfortunate the to pursue the claim to the
were prepared to strike from north 22nd has been postponed end and would like to point
to south, from east to west in the for legal reasons. However out this is only round one
capital for a better working life. this no way affects the in what could well be a 12-
The bus companies are uniting London bus workers round contest.
through the same solicitors to use campaign—all this is done Although the companies
anti-union laws to try and stop our is to delay the inevitable. currently think they are
action on grounds which allegedly Look at it like this: we ahead on points, imagine
included not fully informing are currently sat at a set of the surprise they’ll get
members of a postal ballot result red traffic lights and as we when they are knocked out.
or, in the case of Metrobus, not all know red traffic lights The companies are being
giving notice soon enough of the will eventually turn green. as obstructive as possible—
result of the ballot—even if in both BW: What lessons can no posting of notices in
cases there was an overwhelming the union learn from the order to keep our members
democratic vote for strike action! legal action taken by the informed, preventing
If true, how can such a companies? us from arranging or
On the picket line at Dagehnam SO: Currently the conducting ballots on or
state affairs continue and go
union believes we are off company premises,
unchallenged? achieved? Issues that led to yes be revolutionised. Our health is in compliance with the victimisation of branch
Having said that we—Unite votes for strike action across suffering, our families see less of officers etc etc.
procedures for industrial
the Union—must also learn from London have not gone away. us and how in reality can the high action ballots however if it This will not deter us.
what’s happened and ensure if Thousands of drivers don’t just levels of service now expected of is proven that mistakes have We will conduct ballots if
mistakes have been made there is stop work and lose pay unless us be maintained? been made we would be in necessary on the streets of
no repeat performance. there is something very wrong We are human heroes not a position of reballoting and London (as has happened at
If it means a postal reballot this with the system and their pay and/ superhuman heroes. thanking the companies for one garage recently).
year for strike action to get us or conditions. Unite needs to take out adverts bringing to our attention If necessary we will
back on route, then that’s what it Sooner or later this will come in papers and produce leaflets loopholes that we can distribute leaflets outside
means. to a head again. The companies’ for the public when necessary rectify for future occasions. garages to individual
When companies turn, or legal route hasn’t made the and win them over to our cause. BW: Do you have a members of staff in our
threaten to turn, to the courts to demands of our campaign any Labour MPs and Labour GLA message for bus workers? own time.
overturn the democratic decisions less urgent. Members need to take up our SO: These greedy We will not be beaten,
of thousands, it forces the We now move into a period in case in Parliament and City Hall. bus companies that we are united across
workforce to pick sides. There is the lead-up to Christmas where There was a mood on some
are currently seeking London and that won’t
only one choice—and that’s their injunctions against the change.
the bus companies, Mayor Boris picket lines that a more visible union in the hope all strike BW: What do you think of
own side.
Johnson and Transport for London presence from those in the Labour action will collapse and ‘Bus worker’?
This is exactly what happened
need to be left in no doubt we movement is now required. the union will capitulate SO: I think Bus Worker
when news reached the garages
seek radical change to the bus This is not unreasonable couldn’t have been more is an important tool in our
of the strike action postponement
and tendering system whilst request when part of our weekly wrong. efforts to communicate
for legal reasons.
It was met with frustration but demanding the same decent, union contributions from our wage In fact the reverse with staff across all
also a strong recognition we are in equal wages for all drivers along packet goes to the Labour Party. is happening and the companies in London. We
a battle and “it’s a fight and a fight with humane working hours. We need to move outwards and members are more resolved need to remember this is
we must win”. The long working hours culture call on solidarity from the wider than ever to win what is our paper for our people.
What exactly have the in the bus industry and the shift union and labour movement to
companies’ legal tactics patterns across London need to back our struggle.

Barcelona bus workers send solidarity! see page 2

busWorker October 2008

from across

your news
No to these
fear tactics
As I have travelled around
on the authorities?
Perhaps we would have won
in the court, and if we had not
want the driver to maintain
good contact with passengers
and to be service-oriented.
done so it would have been However, the need to
different parts of London to crystal clear who was to blame provide service to individual
different meetings of bus for the strike not taking place. passengers often conflicts with
drivers and reps involved in this There are some good the requirement to keep to a
dispute, it occurs to me that examples in Unite of workers tight schedule in dense traffic.
one question crops up time and refusing to bow down before Work schedules are another
again. the law. major source of stress.
It’s “can we do that?” This During the Shell tanker Bus drivers often have to
usually refers to: Can we put drivers’ strike earlier this year, work on shifts, and even on
that notice up, Can we hand drivers refused to cross picket split shifts, while their days off
out that piece of information, lines even though this was may be irregular and may not
Can we say that. “illegal” under the anti-union coincide with those of their
We are hearing of reps being laws. This is the sort of spirit families.
told they cannot do consultation we need more of, and the spirit The study recommends:
ballots on company premises, which the union should be lChanges to ergonomics
and of picket lines being read encouraging. of the driver’s cabin, with
the riot act. Abdul Omer, driver, (personal particular reference to the
Where are these rules capacity) position and adjustment
written—I have never seen of the seat, steering wheel
them but rest assured as time
goes on reps that are fighting Our health is and pedals, the visibility and
marking of the dashboard, the
Barcelona drivers on strike earlier this year for two days off a week for their members will be at stake adaptation of the working space

Solidarity message...
targeted. A large number of studies to both large and small drivers
What is needed is support have been carried out on the and the provision of adequate
for reps from our officers when work and health of bus drivers, training.

from Barcelona!
they are targeted. But in the particularly those operating lChanges to timetables, shift
past the T&G has sometimes in metropolitan areas. These schedules and the quality of
failed to do this. show that the job of a bus break periods: in addition to the
Let’s hope that under the driver makes high demands, limitation of weekly and daily
An inspiring message has come week—with no loss of pay and banner of Unite things have at yet offers only low control and
from workers in Catalonia, Spain. no increase in the working time working hours, the frequency of
last changed. low support. breaks and adequate periods of
It says, “The bus workers of during the rest of the week. The fighting sprit of you the This combination spells
Barcelona send our solidarity to All decisions (on strike action, rest between working days.
drivers in this dispute is great to stress and, consequently, an The main recommendations
London bus workers. negotiations, etc) were decided see. Together We Can Win.
“We recently won a long strike democratically by the drivers in
increased risk of physical and are: the organisation of work
for the right to two days off per mass assemblies which took
Paul Brown, Unite Rep mental occupational ill health. for several consecutive days
week; we are sure that you too place on strike days to allow all to Byfleet, (Personal Capacity) The International Labour on the same shift (rather than
will win.” attend. Organisation manual Bus changing shifts every day), the
It comes from Josep Further strikes took place in We could have drivers: Occupational stress
and stress prevention, by
avoidance of split shifts; regular
Garganté, a delegate on behalf 2008. assignments rather than day-
of TMB (Barcelona transport) bus Finally, faced with no clear done better Professor Kompier (CONDI/ to-day assignments; and the
workers’ works committee. response from the company, the In the run-up to the planned T/WP.2/1996), reviews the organisation of two days off,
Earlier this year, after 18 days workers voted overwhelmingly to strikes on 22 October, Adrian findings of studies of the stress rather than single days off,
of strike action and as they began start an all out strike in April 15. At Jones, the managing director suffered by bus drivers. between blocks of working
an all-out strike, the Barcelona this point the company folded. of First, said, “The union is It says: days.
workers won an important victory. The workers got two days intent on dragging further lStudies show that lChanges to the
The battle began at the end rest with no loss of pay and 25 bus companies into strikes absenteeism among bus work environment and
of 2007, with a five-hour strike minutes reduction in each working in pursuit of its fruitless bid drivers for reasons of sickness management style: the main
demanding two days off a day. to standardise conditions of is significantly higher than in recommendations in this area
working and pay.” He added other comparable groups. include the division of driving

Union must keep fighting

that First’s drivers were among lThe main health problems staff into a number of groups
the best-paid bus workers in which they suffer relate to the (of between ten and 20 drivers)
London! back, tendons and joints, as with a supervisor and system
We should ask who the well as mental disorders and
Disappointment and confusion! also prepared to dig in and fight strike would have been
of work consultation for each
That was the reaction of for the long haul. We don’t want to cardiovascular diseases. group.
“fruitless” for. lThe task of a bus driver is
bus workers on hearing that be kept in the dark. It would have been a
Supervisors and
Wednesday’s planned strike had The anti-union laws that exist mentally demanding because management should be
very sour experience for it involves having to cope with
been suspended. The companies in Britain have obviously played a First management and its
trained in a supportive style of
had threatened legal action against part in the current situation. Why conflicting demands. leadership (!!!).
shareholders, but sweet for The company and the public
Unite if the strike went ahead. can these bus companies go to drivers and their supporters.
Our campaign for a united court and, in effect, overturn the The truth is that First bosses
wage and conditions across democratic decision of 15,000 bus are foolish and trying to bully
London has gone from strength workers? workers into submitting.
to strength. Some 14,000 bus This situation isn’t helped by This will not work. Our love
workers could have severely the fact that Unite is not only and respect for ourselves and
disrupted the capital’s bus services Britain’s largest union, but also our families is much stronger
on Wednesday. gives the most money to New than the power of money.
We have already seen solid Labour—£11 million to be precise We will rally round and hit
and determined action by 7,000 since 2005. back at these bosses—and
drivers. So why the sudden threat It is difficult to understand remember that at First there
of legal action? why our union is so keen on were four strikes before
It isn’t as if the companies have bankrolling New Labour when management “discovered” they
been taken by surprise—Unite has they are getting so little in could mount a legal challenge.
organised a vibrant, grassroots return for their members. For The way to do deal with
campaign that has given bus £11 million, the very least the bullies is to stand up to them.
workers the confidence to fight. government can do is repeal the That is why I think (and
It is important that our anti-union laws. many agree with me) that the
momentum is kept up and During the pay claim, we have union was wrong to call off the
disillusionment does not set in. shown a great willingness to fight. action in the way it did.
This is our campaign; we are This has to continue. We need Could we not have gone to
the essential component that has to get organised to keep up the court and organised an angry
enabled four days of strike action. pressure for more action and reject picket outside to put pressure Relaxing at Willesden!
At a time like this, with an any deals that fall short of our
unexpected pause in our otherwise demands.
fantastic show of solidarity, the LONDON BUS WORKERS
union must keep us informed.
We are confused, but we are
ARE UNITED.
Amanda Logan
CONTACT BUS WORKER, SEND YOUR REPORTS
 busWorker October 2008

equality? justice?
s the garages

s & views
One law for the rich,
another for workers
We live in the land of freedom, This week the London bus
equality and democracy. Well workers’ campaign saw the
the month of October 2008 saw employers take a swing at those
that myth blown away! fighting for the future of London
Even the hardest to convince bus workers.
cannot dispute this, after British Unfortunately for the
justice provided the evidence. employers it was not the
Despite vast majorities knockout blow one would
rejecting below inflation pay imagine they thought it would
rises, despite vast majorities in be.
favour of strike action, despite This blow delivered in
the proof from Unite members unison by bus companies
that this is what the democratic across London has caused
and vast majority wanted— our members to take offence,
demonstrated on picket lines. become even more committed
A judge in a British court and more focused.
using British law, decided Our members are now
democracy doesn’t count determined to win, some stating
and the companies, and their that “if we have to start the
increasing profit, should be process again we will”.
protected at our expense! The spirit of the London bus
Surely this proves there isn’t worker is not broken by this.
a real freedom, or we would be We understand that this is a
free to take the course of action battle and the employer will use
we choose. what ever weapons they can lay
There is no democracy, their hands on.
when one person in a court Unfortunately for our bosses,
can override the decision of our members are set for the
thousands. long term battle with a gritty
Where is the equality when determination to overcome any
employers are allowed to take obstacle put in our way, on the
advantage of their staff with path to victory.
incredible ease and within the by John Murphy, UNITE
name of our laws! Regional trade group (PC)

Money for bankers,

but not for services
The bus companies, along with
the government, have legalised
Picketing at Holloway modern day bus workers’
slavery.
It began with Margaret
Thatcher’s anti-union legal drive
in the 1980’s, when she brought
in legislation to curb the trade
unions.
This process was adopted by
the New Labour government of
Tony Blair as his government
continued to suppress workers’
rights.
The government together with
these greedy bus companies Thatcher’s laws are still in place
work together to hold us down If the government can find the
and we have given them the money to bail out their banker
power to hold us down. friends, as well as secure the
Money is power. They are pensions of their friends in high
profiteers and are just making places at the expense of the
money from us. On 23 August, lowly paid worker who is finding
Arriva announced that its pre-tax it extremely difficult to make
profit for the first six months of ends meet with the rising cost
this year had risen by 40 percent of inflation, then let those of us
to £66 million and their revenue who can still think take them on.
by 59 percent to £1.4 billion. If it means taking on those
East London buses, run by whom we give our hard earned
Macquarie, a huge Australian money to for support, then so
Investment bank made a profit be it. We cannot be supporting
of £292million in just six months an institution that does not have

Busworker is your paper last year.

Given the scale of these
profits, all the injunctions in
the world will not stop us from
our interest at heart.
All bus workers and all other
workers in the transport industry
including the trains must stick
The first issue of Busworker was racism and the BNP and offering demanding our rights: good together in solidarity and fight
a great success with over 2,5000 solidarity to other workers fighting rates of pay; shorter working for our rights and not give up
copies being distributed across back. hours; decent pensions; proper until we achieve our goal.
London. Busworker is not in opposition to canteen and toilet facilities. Seldan, Hayes (pc)
If you are part of the fightback, the official union, but it does offer
then Busworker is your paper. We another place for activists to speak
want it to be a place for discussion, to each other. We will support every
debates—and if necessary positive move by the union, but Protest against the bankers
disagreement.
We are all agreed on making the
also offer our own ideas on the way
forward.
on HallowEen night!
campaign in London as effective as We hope you enjoy this issue and Friday 31 October, 5pm, outside Lehman
possible, defending and extending will send your reports, ideas and
democracy in the union, fighting photos to [email protected] Brothers, 25 Bank Street, London E14 5LE
(nearest tube Canary wharf)
Called by a range of campaigning groups
ORTS AND PHOTOS TO [email protected]
 busWorkeR October 2008

BUSWORKER
[email protected]

the law’s
an ass. keep
on fighting!
Spot the difference.....

FOR A FULL LIST OF CAMPAIGN DEMANDS GO TO

www.londonbusworkers.com