Nottingham City Transport has been notified by the TGWU of their recent strike ballot results. The drivers have voted in favour of strike and industrial action, following unsuccessful pay negotiations which have been ongoing since December 2005.
Nottingham City Transport, offered and implemented a 2.4% rise to drivers (inflation at the reference point for the award was 2.1%). This equates to a 20p per hour increase for all drivers, it is the seventh year running, that NCT drivers have enjoyed an above inflation increase. This was overwhelmingly rejected.
Nottingham City Transport is disappointed in this result and is very concerned about the possible customer impact of such actions. The Company has always maintained that it will continue to discuss the outstanding claims with the drivers but that any additional payments must be fully funded by efficiencies derived from driver savings.
Mark Fowles the Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport said:
“NCT provide one of the best salary packages on offer to bus drivers outside of London, the Company cannot afford to offer more this year, any rise above this level would require either an increase in fares or cuts in services, which we believe is not acceptable to our passengers ”
Talks continue with the TGWU, to discuss and hopefully resolve this dispute. NCT will endeavour to keep passengers fully notified about this situation as it develops.
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