The proposed bus strikes which were suspended back on Saturday are now back on once again. The news was posted earlier this afternoon onto the forum and this evening has been confirmed by First South Yorkshire. This is in spite of Unite recommending drivers to take the revised offer and accept it.

The decision to strike follows the announcement earlier today that the pay offer made to driving staff has been rejected, despite being strongly recommended by the Unite Union. There for there will be no First South Yorkshire services operating at all 3 depots on Friday October 23rd and Monday October 26th 2009.

First's 2-year package offered to settle the outstanding accrued holidays, award a pay increase of 2.5% in April 2010, give a one-off additional holiday in 2010/11 and provide additional subsidies for staff canteens. This offer has now been taken off the negotiating table.

In Friday's negotiations, First had offered the following pay deal which the Union had strongly recommended its members to accept to resolve all the South Yorkshire industrial relations disputes. This included:

• To settle the outstanding accrued holiday issue at full rate (£9.13) this year in a lump-sum payment in December;
• A pay increase of 2.5% in April 2010;
  
• A one-off additional holiday in 2010/11 (as initially requested);
• Additional subsidies for staff canteens in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster.

Bob Hamilton, Managing Director of First South Yorkshire said, "I am very disappointed that this pay offer has been rejected, despite being strongly recommended by Unite Union. This was a good offer in tough economic conditions that would have helped protect staff and the business.

We will continue to do our utmost to resolve this pay dispute but the ballot result has not changed our position. First South Yorkshire has no money to fund a pay increase this year."

The ballot for Olive Grove staff regarding grievences was, 39 Accept and 437 Reject.

For further details please visit www.firstmainline.co.uk

Thanks,
Staff at South Yorkshire Transport