Bus drivers have revealed they will stage three-day strike in the run-up to Christmas ... on the day they had a one-day walk-out.
The union Unite said 180 Huddersfield First bus staff went out on strike today at 3.30am over proposed contracts for new drivers.
And a union representative has warned that the strike could be the first of four days of action, with a 72-hour stoppage now planned to take place from December 16 to December 19.
There is also a claim First has cancelled all overtime this week which could further disrupt bus services.
More than 20 services were cancelled or affected by today’s action, leaving only 20% running on a normal timetable and forcing passengers to find alternative ways to travel.
The industrial action followed a four month new conditions dispute.
There were picket lines at the First bus depot on Old Fieldhouse Lane in Deighton and at Huddersfield Bus Station on Upperhead Row.
Flags bearing the red Unite logo were being waved by two dozen striking workers while at the bus station leaflets were given out to inform commuters why they had taken the action.
Speaking on behalf of the striking staff, regional officer for Unite Phil Bown said: “First has gone back on its word.
“We agreed upon an offer of pay and conditions in July but when it came to signing the agreement in September they reneged on the offer by setting out new conditions.
“Under the proposed conditions new starters will get four weeks holiday and eight days leave, a cut from the five weeks and 10 days.
“The proposed conditions will also negatively affect some current drivers.
“We’ve not taken this decision lightly and balloted our members three times.”
During today’s strike Mr Bown he added: “It’s been going extremely well and must be having some effect because First has cancelled all overtime this week.
“This could affect passengers more at no fault of our members.
“We have no word yet from First but we have confirmed three more strike dates from 3.30am on December 16 to 3am on December 19.”
READ: Full list of cancelled services and timetable alterations here
Shop steward Colin Smith added: “We’ve been given no choice but to take this action and are sorry for the impact this strike will have on commuters.”
First stated customers had been “badly affected” by the strike.
Paul Matthews, managing director for First West Yorkshire, said: “I’m very sorry to all our customers who were so badly affected by the unnecessary strike action by Unite.
“We’ve operated all Yellow School Bus services and provided a limited number of main-corridor services, including an hourly hospital service.
“We’ve run nearly 20% of our normal full service driven by a number of First staff, including supervisors.
“We’ve also put in place compensatory travel arrangements for customers with weekly and monthly tickets.
“Unite are arguing about proposed changes to the holiday entitlement for future employees only. We simply want to bring holiday entitlement for new staff into line with many other businesses.
“Our proposals will have absolutely no impact on our current employees.
“We’re totally committed to bringing this dispute to an end and hope we can re-engage with Unite in meaningful discussions”.
A spokesman for First group confirmed there were no plans to offer over-time this week and said: “Our main focus is on getting all our services back to normal. Overtime is an issue management takes a view on during the course of any working week.”
Asked about the three-day strike before Christmas, the spokesman said there were no talks currently planned but added: “We are very keen to avoid any further action and will work at resolving the dispute.”
