Star date: 18th September 2020

GO AHEAD BUS COMPANY UNDER FIRE FOR 'FIRE AND REHIRE' POLICY

This afternoon, members of Unite the Union held a socially distanced demo outside the AJ Bell Stadium to raise awareness of bus company, Go Ahead's policy of firing workers then rehiring them under worse terms and conditions. The company is also accused of victimising and gagging a Unite union representative from Salford.

The AJ Bell Stadium was targeted because Go Ahead has signed a contract to run buses for supporters of Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks, when fans go back to stadiums.

Full details here...

This afternoon, the AJ Bell Stadium was the centre of current action by Unite the Union members to raise awareness of the Go Ahead Group's 'fire and rehire' policy towards its workers.

The Go Ahead Group is the owner of bus company Go North West, which operates locally out of Queen's Road bus depot, runs bus services in Salford, and is accused by Unite of using COVID-19 as cover to slash pay and conditions for drivers, while victimising and gagging a Unite union representative, Colin from Salford, who refused to agree the company's demands.

The AJ Bell Stadium was chosen as Go Ahead has signed a contract to run buses for supporters of Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks when fans can travel to see matches.

"The company is currently in the process of firing and rehiring 477 drivers" explained Nick Parnell of Unite "It's called a Section 188 and under it they fire people instantly, and instantly rehire them under worse terms and conditions. We're seeing this throughout industry at BA, the airport and several other organisations.

"So basically, people like the bus drivers, who we consider to be key workers because they took our key workers to work during the pandemic, are now having to pay for it" he explained.

Go Ahead is using the pandemic drop in business, the union states, to cut drivers' wages by £3,500 on average. But its operating profits for the year ending June 2020 are expected to be between £63million and £75million.

On top of the 'fire and rehire' policy the company is also in the process of disciplining Unite steward Colin, on what the union calls 'trumped up charges'... "As the only union rep not 'furloughed', Colin was singled out and repeatedly bullied by senior managers who wanted him to agree cuts without talking to his members" Unite states "As part of Colin's suspension notice the company included a 'gagging order', banning him from speaking to anyone who worked for Go Ahead including family members."

Outside the AJ Bell Stadium, Nick Parnell added that "We're hoping the company sees the light and reinstates him. We don't believe it's a sackable offence; we think they wanted the senior steward out of the way.

"Now, we believe they should remove the disciplinary action, pause the Section 188 and come back to the negotiating table" he explained "Fire and rehire shouldn't be used as a negotiating tool. We're here to negotiate for members but it shouldn't be a gun held to members' heads."

Go Ahead's drivers have already voted in an indicative ballot for industrial action, while most Greater Manchester council leaders are supportive of the union's stance, with more protests planned...