Fair stages on the buses

The RMT transport union has negotiated a three-stage settlement at bus operator RoadCar in Lincolnshire, with pay rises of 16% over two years.

The first stage of the deal involves an 8% pay increase backdated to 1 January 2006, raising the basic rate for drivers with at least three years’ service to £6.74 an hour. Hourly rates for drivers with one and two years’ service have been increased to £6.32 and £6.52 respectively.

The second stage, from 1 July 2006, will increase rates by a further 4%. And the final stage, also worth 4%, will begin in January 2007.

The maximum unpaid break in driving duties has been reduced to 90 minutes under the agreement, while the overtime threshold for drivers has been reduced from 45 hours to 421/2 hours.