overthewater
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It seems Turnout was only 68% with the other 32% not bothering..
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Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion
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Auld reekie
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The small minority just doesn’t make sense.
Jordan Adam
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Lothian have cancelled the centenary event tomorrow...
By "people function" I presume Lothian mean "personnel department", so why not just say so in clear language? And these chaps are running a municipal bus company, so they should drop the hyperbole about reputational damage to country . . . the 1977 Wembley pitch invasion involved much more reputational damage than a local bus strike, but the world got over it. And these sort of public letters serve exactly what purpose? - it is simply telling the public that a bunch of selfish die-hard Union members can't see how the management have their interests at heart, don't appreciate that their grievances have been sorted out, can't move on, and are prepared not only to inconvenience "Joe-public" but also tarnish the reputation of the Scots nation in the furtherance of their cause . . . and I think people see through it for the propaganda that it is.
And whilst the management are concerning themselves with reputational damage to the company/city/country they might like to think about their own recent dalliance with some private registration numbers . . .
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Auld reekie
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Have they spat the dummy?
Bluebirdscot66
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Seen that , due to current circumstances they say .....
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Just for reference here's the source...
It would likely generate bad press (specifically from the EEN) if they did continue. Some of us were saying 1125 would be out on Sunday and off the road by Friday but it looks like it may not make it out!
SpeedbirdA350
Member
This is why in post 3737 I asked what it is they are wanting out of strike action as often its about pay and they give a list of demands but in this, they have not, so is it to get rid of RH? All top staff? Without that info, it is hard to know what to think. Also, union urged members to accept, they said no, and unions are usually ones urging strike action to happen so something else is going on that we have not been told about.
How many of the 1016 who either did not vote or said no to action are drivers and will they who are drivers be willing to work and take a bus out? If most of them do, and are willing to then we could be looking at a Sunday service more than Christmas special service
SpeedbirdA350
Member
EEN chip rag don't need any ammo to rip in to Lothian. They do (poorly might I add) that already on a pretty much ongoing basis. They'd have had a field day with this one although will probably twist this cancelation somehow anyway.Just for reference here's the source...
It would likely generate bad press (specifically from the EEN) if they did continue. Some of us were saying 1125 would be out on Sunday and off the road by Friday but it looks like it may not make it out!
I think it's a shame they postponed the event but I expect something in September, perhaps in line with open doors day and vintage running day.
tbtc
Veteran Member
So 59% of the 68% who voted, vote to strike? And presumably there are at least some staff who aren't in the Union, so that percentage of staff dissatisfied enough to strikes comes down further. I can see why they are calling that a "small minority" - maybe we can speculate about how he non-voters would have voted if they had voted but I can certainly see why the company is couching the numbers like that.
Bad news for enthusiasts but understandable, given the looming strike - I can see why it'd look bad (bus company involved in non-essential event but can't run their every day bus services a few days later)
People are still worrying about a harmless stunt like the registration plates?
Bad news for enthusiasts but understandable, given the looming strike - I can see why it'd look bad (bus company involved in non-essential event but can't run their every day bus services a few days later)
People are still worrying about a harmless stunt like the registration plates?
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Ohh dear! BF60 UGG (253).
Ohh dear! BF60 UGG (253).
*How dare you post a photo of a broken Lothian bus...delete it immediatley!!!
*may contain a small amount of sarcasm
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Better be careful! I guess at least there's actually evidence of a breakdown rather than just a bus pulled in at a bus stop!
I wonder if the axle will fall off when the tow wagon lifts it off the deck....
This is the one I saw earlier it was there for a good few hours.Ohh dear! BF60 UGG (253).
Jordan Adam
Established Member
It's only just getting picked up now. Planned blockade? I better not start conspiracy theories!
*Sarcasm
Mechanic attended and could not fix it so had to be towed. It was causing a bit of chaos with buses trying to service the stop.
On the conspiracy subject I spotted someone taking passenger numbers of the BBT buses at dynamic earth old guy with clipboard.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Both First and Lothian appear to employ clipboard holders.
overthewater
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Now this is pure BS: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-49134725
A bus strike in Edinburgh may pose a risk to public safety, the firm's director has claimed, after drivers voted to reject a last-minute deal.
Lothian Buses say services may not run or will operate on a significantly-reduced basis on Friday.
The strike has been planned to coincide with the first day of the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe.
The Unite union had recommended that its 1,700 members accept a new deal following talks.
The proposal, which came amid a long-running dispute, included a 2.7% pay rise and new measures to address concerns over bullying.
This included bringing in external experts to assist management and the workforce.
Lothian Buses managing director Richard Hall told BBC Scotland: "It's hugely disappointing that Unite have brought this action at a time when Edinburgh is celebrating one of the largest festivals in the world.
"It brings huge risk to the business, the city and indeed Scotland. Its reputation on public safety is absolutely key critical for us."
'Too little too late'
Unite said its members would take discontinuous strike action during the Edinburgh Fringe and International Festival after the offer was rejected by 59.4%.
The union's regional industrial officer Lyn Turner said the strike action would begin at 03:00 on Friday.
"Unite's 1,700 strong Lothian Buses membership has democratically voted to reject the latest offer from management," he said.
"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 the 2 August."
'Disappointed and confused'
When asked about contingency plans for the strike, Mr Hall said the firm's main approach was to urge drivers to return to work.
He added that the company remained committed to "taking whatever steps we can to avoid a hugely-damaging strike next week''.
"This is the second time a deal has been agreed between the company and the union only to be declined by the members," he said. "This is in spite of the fact it would have provided a significant pay rise as well as a series of additional initiatives to further enhance our engagement with staff.
"Yesterday we were again reassured by Union officials that they were confident that the deal would be accepted on the basis of their recommendation. "We now need to understand from them why this was not the case and are keen to engage further as to how we can move forward." A Lothian Buses tweet said customers remained its "absolute priority' and it would minimise disruption where possible.
Lesley Macinnes, Edinburgh City Council's transport and environment convener, said: "It is deeply regrettable that it has come to this and I know the prospect of disruption to the bus service at the busiest time of the year will be met with dismay right across the city.
"We are extremely disappointed the parties were not able to come to an agreement and will be seeking an urgent meeting to try and bring stability to the situation as soon as possible."
Unite has blamed the dispute on "poor workplace relations and a hostile culture".
In June, staff voted for strike action. More than 63% of union members took part in the ballot, with about 91.3% backing a walkout.
Talks at the arbitration service Acas then resulted in a deal which was rejected by the workforce, which includes 1,700 drivers.
The revised offer followed further discussions which took place last week.
The strike action will not affect Lothian Country or East Coast buses.
Ah yes, accuse the people who already despise management of being dangerous. That'll help.
Had best get my bike ready for the commute on Friday.
VioletEclipse
Member
Yeah 253 was broken down
VioletEclipse
Member
Thats not the best start to Lothian service, also a bit embarrassing for EBT.Ohh dear! BF60 UGG (253).
VioletEclipse
Member
That is very short notice and quite saddening really, but we should have seen it coming with the driver strike.
TheEastCoaster
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Good thing I didn’t top up my Ridacard! Back on a bike for me! I do wonder about the state of many major routes, especially ones that aren’t covered by other company’s. Like Border Buses cover parts of Midlothian and the Royal Infirmary/Liberton Stagecoach run up via Morningside and Penicuik. And LCB/ECB are still unaffected! But of course that leaves major areas like (Leith, Silverknowes, Gilmerton, Oxgangs Colinton, and Balerno) without a bus service
90019
Established Member
The 43 is run from Central by Lothian single deck drivers, so I wouldn't expect it to run unless they draft in staff from elsewhere or have office staff/management covering it.
The other 32% includes those on leave, on holiday, on a day off, and those who weren't able to vote during the day for whatever reason.
I feel like other ongoing issues may be behind the cancellation, with the strike bringing a well timed cover story.
I assume they'll abandon areas that are served by LCB/ECB/Trams and use the drivers that are willing to work + office staff to run a skeleton service to those areas (every ~20 minutes?)
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Perhaps a lower frequency as i doubt they'd be able to get enough drivers for 20 minute frequencies. Would expect to see some XLB's on services they've not been on before!
ScotRail158725
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i thought that could be a possibility aswell
XLB on the 63
SpeedbirdA350
Member
that would be funny to see. I doubt they'd run certain routes like that tbh, would be main key routes only. I would assume B8L would be used on as many services as possible due to size of it. It depends on how many driver they can get. Saturday, Sunday or Special service... gotta hope for the best.XLB on the 63
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