The union for First Bus Manchester have compared their situation to modern slavery

[RainbowBriteUk]

I'm getting rather fed up of the three day a week strikes up here now. It's costing me a small fortune to get to work and/or a very early start on the days I have to be in.

What has really made me laugh though, is the clowns that are Unite the union have compared the bus drivers situations to modern slavery. AIBU to think they're really taking the piss now?

I stand with them, when First had the full contract buses were on time, regular and had 1 pricing system. Th

Now there are 5 different operators in my local Manchester area. Users can only use their tickets on certain buses and not on others meaning longer waits and extra cost if you need to buy an anybus ticket. Buses frequently just don't turn up.

Previously I rarely had to buy an anybus ticket where as now I need one nearly every time I travel.

IMO Andy Burnham/GMCA have purposely ruined the bus network to strengthen their pity pleas for government money for a London style bus system and the trains HS2. At a cost to the drivers and customers alike.

I can't find anything by the Union that matches OP's claim, but I did find this quote online -

"One driver described conditions as “inhuman.” “It’s modernised slavery,” he said, “I’m here at 6am, and by the time I get back home, my kids are in bed.” He told us, “We drive for five hours in the morning, without using the toilet and without a drink.”"

www.wsws.org/en/articles/2022/01/31/manc-j31.html

Having read that, no!

Given that we are having our main bus route taken away in a couple of weeks because it isn't viable there will be many more unhappy drivers and customers over the next few months. When out bus company says "not viable" they mean "we moved our yard and it isn't convenient any more"

Hundreds of people will lose their jobs. Not drivers, customers. Customers who live rurally and rely on public transport. Even those witha regular 9 - 5 job won't be able to get to and from work, as the company is leaving the school bus run only.

And yes, they too got government subsidies to keep them going through covid. And their response? They are using covid era data to justify closing the route. Today, according to the last count half an hour ago, each bus is at least half full. So that's currently 20 people every hour, 7 am to 8 pm, and that's including off peak travel and not including school kids or pensioners with a pass.

Oh, and they didn't publicise the customer survey / consultation on it and, after we did, they closed it a day early!

So again, no. As far as I can see, over the last few weeks, months, bus companies across the UK have started to act in a very high handed manner. The results, if left unchallenged, will be catastrophic for many!

So they should put up with bad conditions and be quiet so you aren't inconvenienced?

Save your anger for the companies messing with staffing / schedules / prices. The drivers work for hours often without access to toilets / water etc.

Whilst not always an easy option striking helps make the company take notice! The companies that are closing routes for their own ease, putting drivers out of work, taking government subsidies for poorly run services etc etc. Nothing wrong with holding them to account.

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

I can't find anything by the Union that matches OP's claim, but I did find this quote online -

"One driver described conditions as “inhuman.” “It’s modernised slavery,” he said, “I’m here at 6am, and by the time I get back home, my kids are in bed.” He told us, “We drive for five hours in the morning, without using the toilet and without a drink.”"

Ha! Basically he's describing the situation millions of workers face in this country. I have to get up when I'd rather be in bed, I have to go to a certain place at a certain time and am expected to do the work I'm being paid for. Outrageous.

The point about slavery is that the person has no choice. The bus driver is free to hand in his notice and find a job that suits him better.

and that is why conditions will never improve because any time anyone stands up to shit conditions some Gradgrind comes along with "shut up and get back up the chimneys you ungrateful urchins"

Exactly @daimbarsatemydogsbone and someone will come along and do their equivalent of the 4 Yorkshiremen sketch...

The bus driver is free to hand in his notice and find a job that suits him better.

He currently cannot as then he would possibly lose the pay rise that was promised but has not yet been paid!

And of course, it ain't a race to the bottom!

I go and do my job. Because it's so busy, I often don't have access to a toilet and water for hours but FFS, I do it because i'm not a little snowflake. These bus drivers can move to a company with better pay and conditions. I wouldn't mind, but most do have access to the toilet every hour along the route and numerous shops where they can get a drink. What's stopping them taking a few bottles of water with them while they're working? Deary me.

What's stopping them taking a few bottles of water with them while they're working? Deary me.

What would stop me is knowing I can't get out and have a slash when I need one. Unfortunately I am going to take the word of a person actually doing the job not your claims more seriously. Presumably they are being told they can't just head off for a wee when they need one, or even every hour.

Ah daim you're obviously not using the 'drone' mentality strongly enough.... once you've drunk the water, the bottle becomes a urinal! You don't even need to stop working! Hip hip hurrah! 🥳👍

@MichelleScarn

Ah daim you're obviously not using the 'drone' mentality strongly enough.... once you've drunk the water, the bottle becomes a urinal! You don't even need to stop working! Hip hip hurrah! 🥳👍

@RainbowBriteUk

I go and do my job. Because it's so busy, I often don't have access to a toilet and water for hours but FFS, I do it because i'm not a little snowflake. These bus drivers can move to a company with better pay and conditions. I wouldn't mind, but most do have access to the toilet every hour along the route and numerous shops where they can get a drink. What's stopping them taking a few bottles of water with them while they're working? Deary me.

This is a joke? They have access to toilets every hour along their route?

I don't know anything about the bus company you're talking about, but this is not the case for most bus drivers, the idea is absurd!