First Dorset has received notification from Unite the Union, who represent drivers in Weymouth and Bridport, of its intention keep strike action going until Sunday 4 September (inclusive). The drivers won’t strike on bank holiday Monday (29 August) when the company is running a Sunday service or on Thursday 1 September.
The union informed First Dorset of further strike action despite both parties agreeing that binding arbitration is the only viable solution to resolve the dispute. Behind the scenes both parties are progressing towards agreeing terms of reference for binding arbitration under the auspices of ACAS. Union officials met today to discuss the latest terms.
While the dispute has always focussed on delivering a pay award, the union are now tabling additional demands that were not part of the original negotiations, which require separate discussions.
Chrissie Bainbridge, First Dorset, said: “Calling strikes is completely at odds with attempts to get the arbitration process in place and agreed. Both parties have recognised that arbitration is the only option, but as the arbitrator is impartial, the strikes won’t have any effect on the outcome. Therefore we simply cannot understand why the union have called for further industrial action and why it seeks to damage the business that its members rely on.”
Talking about the extra demands that the Union have tabled, Chrissie Bainbridge said: “We thought that progress had been made when the union agreed to talks with the arbitrator. However, they failed to understand the arbitration process properly and have subsequently tabled 11th hour demands. These demands need to be discussed sensibly round the table outwith the arbitration process and not against a backdrop of industrial action. We’ve called upon the union to suspend strike action and give our customers a break, whilst we go through arbitration and any subsequent talks around the additional demands.”
“Typically, when both parties agree to resolve a dispute through collective arbitration, as in this case, industrial action ceases, on the basis that the arbitrator will resolve the dispute with a decision.”
Joel Probert
