Unite, the UK’s leading union, has welcomed the announcement
today (Thursday 25 March) by that Greater Manchester will adopt a system of bus
franchising.
Unite believes that the new system, which is scheduled to begin
to come into effect in 2023, will dramatically improve the
quality of services and increase regional connectivity.
Unite, which represents thousands of bus drivers across Greater
Manchester, believes the franchising announcement will have a
significant effect on the ongoing Go North West bus strike. Go
North West’s parent company Go Ahead currently generates £604
million through franchising in London and will be keen to extend
its influence in Greater Manchester.
It is expected the franchise model will be based on a quality
contracts system, which enshrines worker engagement. Go North
West’s attempts to fire and rehire its bus drivers is entirely
anathema to such a franchising system and the company’s current
actions are likely to count against them when bidding for
franchise routes.
The rogue bus service currently being operated by Go North West
to undermine the strike action, which has generated a dossier of
safety concerns, would be prevented from operating under a
franchising system.
Unite will also be lobbying to ensure that the franchise
contracts include strict rules about minimum rates of pay,
collective bargaining and measures to tackle long hours and bus
driver fatigue.
Unite North West regional secretary Ritchie James said: “Bus
franchising in Greater Manchester will go a long way to creating
a level playing field for passengers and workers.
“It is essential that franchising contracts include strict rules
on minimum employment standards so that bus companies can’t
undercut each other by cutting workers’ pay and conditions and
creating a race to the bottom.
“What is beyond doubt is that Go North West’s bully boy fire and
rehire tactics will have no place in a bus franchising operation
and the days of running round Manchester in entirely inadequate
vehicles which don’t meet established standards, are at an end.”
“Unite is committed to working with the mayor to ensure that the franchising system is a success
for passengers and bus workers.”
