TUC General Secretary intervenes in Go North East bus dispute

The leader of the TUC has today (Friday) written to the head of Go North East in a bid to end the ongoing bus strike in the region

In a letter to Managing Director Nigel Featham, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak calls on the company to end the “two-tier pay system” between its bus workers in the North East and North West.

The intervention comes as Unite members mark their fourth week of strike action against the company.

Mr Nowak will today join striking workers for a picket at Go North East’s Riverside Depot in Gateshead at 9am.

Highlighting the stark pay inequality at the company, Nowak writes:

“None of your bus workers want to be out on strike. They would much rather be getting on with their jobs and serving their local communities.

“But they have been left with little choice in the face of Go Ahead’s two-tier pay system.

“It is simply not right that Go Ahead bus staff in the North East are paid 20% less for doing exactly the same job as Go Ahead staff in the North West.

“They are living through the same cost of living crisis as everybody else. 

“Many of your workforce report having to cut back on essentials such as food and energy. And some shockingly have even had to resort to skipping meals and using food banks to get by.

“Pay inequality is a major factor holding back the life chances and living standards of working people in the North East. Go Ahead should not be practicing it.”

Highlighting Go Ahead’s ability to be able to resolve the dispute, Nowak writes:

“Go Ahead Group could resolve this strike today with just 0.28 per cent of annual profits.

“But instead your drivers are being pushed to their limit.

“It is your company's steadfast refusal to make a fair offer that has prolonged this strike into its fourth week.

“It is wholly unacceptable for a company of your standing, particularly one that has received millions of pounds in public money, to deny your workers the proper rate for the job.”

Calling for the company to restart talks, Nowak concludes:

“As General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, I stand with Unite the Union in calling for Go North East to take immediate action to remedy this situation.

“It is within your power to not only end this strike swiftly, but to do so in a manner that honours the dedication of your employees and restores the faith of the travelling public.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The full letter reads:

Nigel Featham – Managing Director
Go North East
3rd floor, 41-51 Grey Street
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE1 6EE

Dear Mr. Featham,

On Friday I will be meeting with members of Unite the Union taking strike action at your company.

None of your bus workers want to be out on strike. They would much rather be getting on with their jobs and serving their local communities.

But they have been left with little choice in the face of Go Ahead’s two-tier pay system.

It is simply not right that Go Ahead bus staff in the North East are paid 20% less for doing exactly the same job as Go Ahead bus staff in the North West.

They are living through the same cost of living crisis as everybody else. 

Many of your workforce report having to cut back on essentials such as food and energy.

And some shockingly have even had to resort to skipping meals and using food banks to get by.

Pay inequality is a major factor holding back the life chances and living standards of working people in the North East.  Go Ahead should not be practicing it.

Go Ahead Group could resolve this strike today with just 0.28 per cent of annual profits.

But instead your drivers are being pushed to their limit.

It is your company's steadfast refusal to make a fair offer that has prolonged this strike into its fourth week.

It is wholly unacceptable for a company of your standing, particularly one that has received millions of pounds in public money, to deny your workers the proper rate for the job.

I urge you to return to the negotiating table with a genuine commitment to finding a resolution.

As General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, I stand with Unite the Union in calling for Go North East to take immediate action to remedy this situation.

It is within your power to not only end this strike swiftly, but to do so in a manner that honours the dedication of your employees and restores the faith of the travelling public.

Yours,

Paul Nowak
General Secretary
Trades Union Congress

-The average wage at Go North East is just £12.83 per hour yet the same workers at Go North West earn £15.53 per hour. That would mean workers in Newcastle and Sunderland would require a pay rise of 20 per cent to earn the same as those in Manchester.

This equates to a loss of £105 per week on a 39-hour week or £5,475 per year.

- The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.1 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.