"Bus drivers in Bristol are considering strike action after some of
their colleagues were sacked for finishing their routes early.

First Bus said some drivers have been leaving stops early in an attempt
to get back to the depot for a meal break or for the end of their shift.

First said this was "gross misconduct" and 14 drivers have so far been
sacked.

The Transport and General Workers' Union says it will consider action
unless the drivers are re-instated.

Malcolm Green from the T&G said: "Our members have taken a concerned view."

The union said such early running should not happen, but that sacking a
driver for their first offence regardless of their history with the
company is "draconian".

Russell Barrington Crow, from First Bus, said: "We're not happy to be
doing this but we need to enforce something that is easier to avoid."

"It is frustrating for [customers].""

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6593079.stm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6590000/newsid_6593800?redirect=6593879.stm&news=1&bbram=1&nbram=1&bbwm=1&nbwm=1 

(Video)

Seems suprising, given they're apparently always short of drivers.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:14:52 GMT, Mojo
<mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:

>First said this was "gross misconduct" and 14 drivers have so far been
>sacked.

Good.  Perhaps Arriva/MK Metro and other Milton Keynes operators might
also consider this approach.  Early running is unacceptable, unless
for reasons of driver personal safety in which case there is a larger
issue to deal with.

>The union said such early running should not happen, but that sacking a
>driver for their first offence regardless of their history with the
>company is "draconian".

This is also true, though I imagine (from experience) that it is just
the first time they have been *caught*.

Neil

-- 
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:14:52 GMT, Mojo
<mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:

>First said this was "gross misconduct" and 14 drivers have so far been
>sacked.

Good.  Perhaps Arriva/MK Metro and other Milton Keynes operators might
also consider this approach.  Early running is unacceptable, unless
for reasons of driver personal safety in which case there is a larger
issue to deal with.

>The union said such early running should not happen, but that sacking a
>driver for their first offence regardless of their history with the
>company is "draconian".

This is also true, though I imagine (from experience) that it is just
the first time they have been *caught*.

Neil

-- 
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:14:52 GMT, Mojo
<mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:

>First said this was "gross misconduct" and 14 drivers have so far been
>sacked.

Good.  Perhaps Arriva/MK Metro and other Milton Keynes operators might
also consider this approach.  Early running is unacceptable, unless
for reasons of driver personal safety in which case there is a larger
issue to deal with.

>The union said such early running should not happen, but that sacking a
>driver for their first offence regardless of their history with the
>company is "draconian".

This is also true, though I imagine (from experience) that it is just
the first time they have been *caught*.

Neil

-- 
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:14:52 GMT, Mojo
<mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:

>First said this was "gross misconduct" and 14 drivers have so far been
>sacked.

Good.  Perhaps Arriva/MK Metro and other Milton Keynes operators might
also consider this approach.  Early running is unacceptable, unless
for reasons of driver personal safety in which case there is a larger
issue to deal with.

>The union said such early running should not happen, but that sacking a
>driver for their first offence regardless of their history with the
>company is "draconian".

This is also true, though I imagine (from experience) that it is just
the first time they have been *caught*.

Neil

-- 
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:14:52 GMT, Mojo
<mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:

>First said this was "gross misconduct" and 14 drivers have so far been
>sacked.

Good.  Perhaps Arriva/MK Metro and other Milton Keynes operators might
also consider this approach.  Early running is unacceptable, unless
for reasons of driver personal safety in which case there is a larger
issue to deal with.

>The union said such early running should not happen, but that sacking a
>driver for their first offence regardless of their history with the
>company is "draconian".

This is also true, though I imagine (from experience) that it is just
the first time they have been *caught*.

Neil

-- 
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:14:52 GMT, Mojo
<mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:

>First said this was "gross misconduct" and 14 drivers have so far been
>sacked.

Good.  Perhaps Arriva/MK Metro and other Milton Keynes operators might
also consider this approach.  Early running is unacceptable, unless
for reasons of driver personal safety in which case there is a larger
issue to deal with.

>The union said such early running should not happen, but that sacking a
>driver for their first offence regardless of their history with the
>company is "draconian".

This is also true, though I imagine (from experience) that it is just
the first time they have been *caught*.

Neil

-- 
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:14:52 GMT, Mojo
<mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:

>First said this was "gross misconduct" and 14 drivers have so far been
>sacked.

Good.  Perhaps Arriva/MK Metro and other Milton Keynes operators might
also consider this approach.  Early running is unacceptable, unless
for reasons of driver personal safety in which case there is a larger
issue to deal with.

>The union said such early running should not happen, but that sacking a
>driver for their first offence regardless of their history with the
>company is "draconian".

This is also true, though I imagine (from experience) that it is just
the first time they have been *caught*.

Neil

-- 
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On 26 Apr, 18:14, Mojo <mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:
> "Bus drivers in Bristol are considering strike action after some of
> their colleagues were sacked for finishing their routes early.

Any chance of this action being taken against drivers at University
Bus, Hatfield? They run early regularly, or simply skip the last few
stops because it's quicker to skip them to get back to the depot.
Admittedly, when I've got the bus I am usually the only passenger at
night, but is that because the route is unpopular or because everyone
has given up even trying to catch it?

As I live near the depot and (try to) get the bus from the station
home, I've got about a 50% chance of there being a bus for me after
9.30pm (from 9.30pm to 12.30am, they're subsidised by Herts County
Council). I've waited until a few minutes after the bus was due,
gambled that it wasn't late, taken a cab to the depot and - surprise
surprise - there's the 602!

When I complained, I was told the inspectors finish at 9pm. Now,
what's the betting that if an inspector ever did catch one of the
drivers it would be a 'first offence' too? HCC has stated they will
investigate but who will check for a bus at midnight - and I bet HCC
would forewarn the company anyway!

Jonathan

On 26 Apr, 18:14, Mojo <mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:
> "Bus drivers in Bristol are considering strike action after some of
> their colleagues were sacked for finishing their routes early.

Any chance of this action being taken against drivers at University
Bus, Hatfield? They run early regularly, or simply skip the last few
stops because it's quicker to skip them to get back to the depot.
Admittedly, when I've got the bus I am usually the only passenger at
night, but is that because the route is unpopular or because everyone
has given up even trying to catch it?

As I live near the depot and (try to) get the bus from the station
home, I've got about a 50% chance of there being a bus for me after
9.30pm (from 9.30pm to 12.30am, they're subsidised by Herts County
Council). I've waited until a few minutes after the bus was due,
gambled that it wasn't late, taken a cab to the depot and - surprise
surprise - there's the 602!

When I complained, I was told the inspectors finish at 9pm. Now,
what's the betting that if an inspector ever did catch one of the
drivers it would be a 'first offence' too? HCC has stated they will
investigate but who will check for a bus at midnight - and I bet HCC
would forewarn the company anyway!

Jonathan

On 26 Apr, 18:14, Mojo <mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:
> "Bus drivers in Bristol are considering strike action after some of
> their colleagues were sacked for finishing their routes early.

Any chance of this action being taken against drivers at University
Bus, Hatfield? They run early regularly, or simply skip the last few
stops because it's quicker to skip them to get back to the depot.
Admittedly, when I've got the bus I am usually the only passenger at
night, but is that because the route is unpopular or because everyone
has given up even trying to catch it?

As I live near the depot and (try to) get the bus from the station
home, I've got about a 50% chance of there being a bus for me after
9.30pm (from 9.30pm to 12.30am, they're subsidised by Herts County
Council). I've waited until a few minutes after the bus was due,
gambled that it wasn't late, taken a cab to the depot and - surprise
surprise - there's the 602!

When I complained, I was told the inspectors finish at 9pm. Now,
what's the betting that if an inspector ever did catch one of the
drivers it would be a 'first offence' too? HCC has stated they will
investigate but who will check for a bus at midnight - and I bet HCC
would forewarn the company anyway!

Jonathan

On 26 Apr, 18:14, Mojo <mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:
> "Bus drivers in Bristol are considering strike action after some of
> their colleagues were sacked for finishing their routes early.

Any chance of this action being taken against drivers at University
Bus, Hatfield? They run early regularly, or simply skip the last few
stops because it's quicker to skip them to get back to the depot.
Admittedly, when I've got the bus I am usually the only passenger at
night, but is that because the route is unpopular or because everyone
has given up even trying to catch it?

As I live near the depot and (try to) get the bus from the station
home, I've got about a 50% chance of there being a bus for me after
9.30pm (from 9.30pm to 12.30am, they're subsidised by Herts County
Council). I've waited until a few minutes after the bus was due,
gambled that it wasn't late, taken a cab to the depot and - surprise
surprise - there's the 602!

When I complained, I was told the inspectors finish at 9pm. Now,
what's the betting that if an inspector ever did catch one of the
drivers it would be a 'first offence' too? HCC has stated they will
investigate but who will check for a bus at midnight - and I bet HCC
would forewarn the company anyway!

Jonathan

On 26 Apr, 18:14, Mojo <mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:
> "Bus drivers in Bristol are considering strike action after some of
> their colleagues were sacked for finishing their routes early.

Any chance of this action being taken against drivers at University
Bus, Hatfield? They run early regularly, or simply skip the last few
stops because it's quicker to skip them to get back to the depot.
Admittedly, when I've got the bus I am usually the only passenger at
night, but is that because the route is unpopular or because everyone
has given up even trying to catch it?

As I live near the depot and (try to) get the bus from the station
home, I've got about a 50% chance of there being a bus for me after
9.30pm (from 9.30pm to 12.30am, they're subsidised by Herts County
Council). I've waited until a few minutes after the bus was due,
gambled that it wasn't late, taken a cab to the depot and - surprise
surprise - there's the 602!

When I complained, I was told the inspectors finish at 9pm. Now,
what's the betting that if an inspector ever did catch one of the
drivers it would be a 'first offence' too? HCC has stated they will
investigate but who will check for a bus at midnight - and I bet HCC
would forewarn the company anyway!

Jonathan

On 26 Apr, 18:14, Mojo <mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:
> "Bus drivers in Bristol are considering strike action after some of
> their colleagues were sacked for finishing their routes early.

Any chance of this action being taken against drivers at University
Bus, Hatfield? They run early regularly, or simply skip the last few
stops because it's quicker to skip them to get back to the depot.
Admittedly, when I've got the bus I am usually the only passenger at
night, but is that because the route is unpopular or because everyone
has given up even trying to catch it?

As I live near the depot and (try to) get the bus from the station
home, I've got about a 50% chance of there being a bus for me after
9.30pm (from 9.30pm to 12.30am, they're subsidised by Herts County
Council). I've waited until a few minutes after the bus was due,
gambled that it wasn't late, taken a cab to the depot and - surprise
surprise - there's the 602!

When I complained, I was told the inspectors finish at 9pm. Now,
what's the betting that if an inspector ever did catch one of the
drivers it would be a 'first offence' too? HCC has stated they will
investigate but who will check for a bus at midnight - and I bet HCC
would forewarn the company anyway!

Jonathan

On 26 Apr, 18:14, Mojo <mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:
> "Bus drivers in Bristol are considering strike action after some of
> their colleagues were sacked for finishing their routes early.

Any chance of this action being taken against drivers at University
Bus, Hatfield? They run early regularly, or simply skip the last few
stops because it's quicker to skip them to get back to the depot.
Admittedly, when I've got the bus I am usually the only passenger at
night, but is that because the route is unpopular or because everyone
has given up even trying to catch it?

As I live near the depot and (try to) get the bus from the station
home, I've got about a 50% chance of there being a bus for me after
9.30pm (from 9.30pm to 12.30am, they're subsidised by Herts County
Council). I've waited until a few minutes after the bus was due,
gambled that it wasn't late, taken a cab to the depot and - surprise
surprise - there's the 602!

When I complained, I was told the inspectors finish at 9pm. Now,
what's the betting that if an inspector ever did catch one of the
drivers it would be a 'first offence' too? HCC has stated they will
investigate but who will check for a bus at midnight - and I bet HCC
would forewarn the company anyway!

Jonathan

On 26 Apr, 18:14, Mojo <mojo29@*pleaseremove*googlemail.com> wrote:
> "Bus drivers in Bristol are considering strike action after some of
> their colleagues were sacked for finishing their routes early.

Any chance of this action being taken against drivers at University
Bus, Hatfield? They run early regularly, or simply skip the last few
stops because it's quicker to skip them to get back to the depot.
Admittedly, when I've got the bus I am usually the only passenger at
night, but is that because the route is unpopular or because everyone
has given up even trying to catch it?

As I live near the depot and (try to) get the bus from the station
home, I've got about a 50% chance of there being a bus for me after
9.30pm (from 9.30pm to 12.30am, they're subsidised by Herts County
Council). I've waited until a few minutes after the bus was due,
gambled that it wasn't late, taken a cab to the depot and - surprise
surprise - there's the 602!

When I complained, I was told the inspectors finish at 9pm. Now,
what's the betting that if an inspector ever did catch one of the
drivers it would be a 'first offence' too? HCC has stated they will
investigate but who will check for a bus at midnight - and I bet HCC
would forewarn the company anyway!

Jonathan