Bus drivers at First Leeds will strike in protest at attempts to devalue their hard earned pensions. One thousand drivers, all members of the Transport and General Workers Union, will walk out on 11th, 23rd and 24th December when no buses are expected to run so hitting the lucrative Christmas shopping and leisure period.
"Turkeys don't vote for Christmas so why should our members vote for pension cuts?" said Phil Bown, T&G regional industrial organiser. "What First is doing is ending the final salary pension scheme, which we fought hard for, and they are doing it by stealth. We will not accept the steady reduction in the living standards of our present and future pensioners."
FirstGroup have issued a national order that in future pension contributions will be capped to inflation. Mr. Bown said not only did this fly in the face of a national pensions agreement; it broke First's policy of local bargaining. He explained that because the company was intending to cap pension contributions it meant members of the final salary scheme would not get the full benefits they had been promised as their contributions would not be based on their whole salary.
"At a time when the government and the pensions industry are telling everyone to save more to pay for their retirement, First are cutting back," continued Mr. Bown. "That is why bus drivers are striking and no other reason. We believe this highly profitable company should think again and quickly."
In a high turnout industrial action ballot over 64% took part. Of these 65% voted to support full strike action and 75% for limited industrial short of full strikes.
"The result of the ballot was convincing and should send a powerful message to the company," added Mr. Bown. "Do the local managers really want to spoil Christmas for hundreds of thousands of people in Leeds and hundreds of businesses?"
FirstGroup have issued a national order that in future pension contributions will be capped to inflation. Mr. Bown said not only did this fly in the face of a national pensions agreement; it broke First's policy of local bargaining. He explained that because the company was intending to cap pension contributions it meant members of the final salary scheme would not get the full benefits they had been promised as their contributions would not be based on their whole salary.
"At a time when the government and the pensions industry are telling everyone to save more to pay for their retirement, First are cutting back," continued Mr. Bown. "That is why bus drivers are striking and no other reason. We believe this highly profitable company should think again and quickly."
In a high turnout industrial action ballot over 64% took part. Of these 65% voted to support full strike action and 75% for limited industrial short of full strikes.
"The result of the ballot was convincing and should send a powerful message to the company," added Mr. Bown. "Do the local managers really want to spoil Christmas for hundreds of thousands of people in Leeds and hundreds of businesses?"
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