Strike threat
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THE STRATHCLYDE Passenger Transport Executive, which has just won its battle to operate special services for the disabled, now faces a second battle — this time over strike threats from transport unions.
The threats come after Strathclyde's decision to close three of Glasgow's nine bus garages as part of its transport economy package, which also includes a five per cent increase in subsidised bus and rail fares and a rise in the present 10 pence pensioners' concession fare.
The closure of garages at lbrox, Langside and Maryhill will mean the loss of 140 jobs through natural wastage and early retirement.
The main transport union concerned in the closures is the Transport and General Workers' Union.
A spokesman for the union shop stewards at the PTE said he was astonished at the decision to close the garages. "We intend to resist in every way possible. We regard the decision as a disaster for Glasgow and as a form of asset stripping."
The Labour controlled Strathclyde Regional Council said that the closures would save about £2m a year.
Keeping the garages open would mean £6m spent on modernisation at Ibrox alone, with smaller sums being spent on the other two garages.
A spokesman for the Council told CM that the ball was in the union's court as far as the next move was concerned, and said that he could not predict when any action might be taken.
The five per cent rise in the fares on bus and rail services is roughly in line with inflation. Details Of the revised fares have not yet been formulated.