Amosipubliccianger'
Page 23
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
PUBLIC SAFETY would be endangered if the Associated Minibus Operators (Amos) proposals for London minibus services are authorised, the Transport and General Workers Union has warned.
In a document on "The crisis in British transport" it has highlighted a series of developments initiated by the Conservative Government since 1979 which have reduced job opportunities in the bus and coach industry.
On Amos, it has warned: "Seeking to abstract hundreds of thousands of pounds from London Transport, the operation would depend on self-employed drivers working excessive hours with scant regard for the safety of either their passengers or other road users.
"And what is more it is a proposal specifically praised in the Conservative election manifesto," it added. Commenting on possible privatisation of the National Bus Company, the TGWU document warns that there will be a "huge" loss of jobs and there will be attempts to worsen pay and conditions.
The three-year plans of LT and the English PTEs include LT's plans to shed 4,200 jobs from its bus business, and the TGWU document warns: "The corollary of those reductions in employment is of course major reductions in service."
The TGWU is also upset that LT is obliged to seek outside tenders for maintenance work. "Recently, for example, the whole future of LT's bus maintenance works at Chiswick and Aldenham has been called into question as a result of tenders obtained from private contractors who would not have to meet the standards of pensions, sick pay and holiday pay achieved in LT after many years of negotiation.
"And although firm pressure from the unions has prevented a complete shut-down of the works, some jobs will undoubtedly go over the next few months."
Instead, the TGWU wants a reverse of the decline in bus patronage, and is advocating higher fares subsidies.