First Bus strikes suspended for vote on new offer

Indefinite strike action by Aberdeen First Bus drivers, due to begin on Friday 6th April has been called off – for the time being.

The walkouts have today been suspended for a vote on a new offer from transport bosses. That follows two days of conciliation talks between First and the union Unite Scotland using the services of Acas, the arbitration agency.

David Phillips, Operations Director for First Aberdeen:

“Following collective conciliation talks supported by ACAS, we are pleased to announce that First Aberdeen has today (5th April) negotiated an agreed position with Unite the Union representatives. Unite have now agreed to suspend the indefinite industrial action planned for Friday 6th April to allow this final offer to be put to a workplace ballot during the course of Friday 6th and Monday 9th April.

“We are satisfied that the final offer will also help us maintain services to customers as well as current workforce levels in the face of challenging economic conditions in Aberdeen. The downturn in the local economy and falling revenue on some routes meant that the current financial position could not be maintained. We are pleased that our focus can now return to providing the best possible bus service for our customers as we look towards a brighter future for the business.

“I would like to thank ACAS for their expert facilitation in helping us to reach this agreement. Hopefully now we can all move on and work together to get the city of Aberdeen moving again. This dispute has only served to highlight to everyone just how vital our bus services are to the people of Aberdeen and we would like to thank our customers for their patience during this period while we sought out a solution. We advise all customers to keep updated on our services by visiting our website, click here http://bit.ly/2GtZwwN or follow us on twitter @FirstAberdeen for further details as services begin to return to normal.”

Willie Wallace, Unite regional officer said: “From the union’s point of view there has been a significant enough shift in the company’s position to justify putting the new offer to the First Bus drivers. Of course it will be for the members to decide whether they think the new offer has been sufficiently improved to justify accepting it.”

The union ballot will take place on Friday 6th and Monday 9th to determine what happens next.

Willie Wallace said: “It has been agreed through the necessary channels that should the members reject the new offer then indefinite strike action to fight for an improved deal will start on Wednesday 11th April. If the members say ‘NO’ we’ll be back on the picket line next Wednesday."