Video: Solent First Bus
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NewsTranscript
00:00We'd like to apologise to all of our customers who have been affected by this ongoing industrial
00:05action. We know they rely upon us to get to work and in crucial roles in NHS and education
00:10to get to hospital appointments or to school or to work. This unnecessary action we know
00:15hurts them and we are really keen to find a resolution to this dispute.
00:20Throughout extensive negotiations with Unite which date back to August of last year, we've
00:24been very clear of what can be afforded in the current climate. Our offer over two years
00:29including enhancements means our colleagues will be backdated to August 2024 and given
00:35a good old gesture of £200 each, taking the full offer to over 7.8% over the next two
00:41years. This is a 35.9% increase since 2021 which addresses the cost of living increase
00:48which Unite have requested from us. It's incorrect to suggest that we're offering
00:53our colleagues to work for free. Unite are keen to reinstate some terms and conditions
00:59they traded with us during the pandemic. The value of these was added as an increase
01:04to the hourly rate of pay at the time as part of our drive to protect jobs and keep people
01:08employed at a time when other industries and sectors were experiencing pay cuts and pay
01:12freezes. Neighbouring depots across our business across the south have had their pay claims
01:18settled now at the same terms which makes it harder to understand why Unite and Hoford
01:23continue to choose this course of action. We do however remain fully committed to finding
01:27a resolution with them as soon as possible.