Protests as First Bus strike held

First Bus staff were protesting over pay in Aberdeen

A bus strike in Aberdeen over pay has been running, with protests being held.

Talks with the conciliation service Acas failed to resolve the First Bus dispute after staff voted for one day of industrial action.

First has been offering passengers free travel during the strike. Where possible a 30-minute service was running from 0700 BST to 1900 BST.

Meanwhile, members of the Unite union were demonstrating at the First Group AGM in Aberdeen.

First - which wants a pay freeze - said it hoped the free travel offer would compensate passengers for any inconvenience caused by the strike.

The union is unwilling to acknowledge the difficulties of the current economic climate Bob Dorr First Bus managing director

However, union officials said running a free bus service showed the money was available to pay for their wage claim.

Unite national organiser for transport, Graham Stevenson, said: "The board has decided that a recession means that bus workers no long need to have pay increases, especially if this interferes with their ability to ensure that shareholders get what they think should be coming to them.

"Quite simply, we ask them to think again."

Bob Dorr, First managing director in Aberdeen, said: "Our bus drivers have enjoyed wage rises totalling almost 14% in the last three years and are among the best paid in the industry.

"The union is unwilling to acknowledge the difficulties of the current economic climate with record increases in unemployment and thousands of businesses implementing wage cuts.

"All we are asking is that our drivers earn the same as last year, with the additional bonus of no redundancies, no changes to the existing terms and conditions of employment and the continuation of generous benefits packages, including contributory pension, generous holiday entitlement, free travel, and share save plans.

"That is not only fair and reasonable - it is a very good deal at a time like this."

The AGM was being held at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Thursday morning.

About 70% of those who voted backed the strike move.

Similar strike action last year brought buses to a standstill before a deal was agreed.