Workplace Report September 2003

Features: Health & Safety News

T&G launches bus workers' charter

The T&G general union launched a Busworkers' Charter in July. The charter calls for minimum standards on pay, working conditions and health and safety across the UK bus industry.

The charter was launched because of problems such as long hours and low pay, stress and increasing violence towards bus workers.

Tony Woodley, T&G general secretary elect said the union wants a maximum driving period of eight hours daily with a limit of four and half hours continuous driving.

The T&G also wants to reduce the working week and link flexible hours packages to longer personal free time. The union is calling on employers to tackle stress and violence which plague the industry.

Woodley said: "The T&G's Busworkers' Charter represents the first national call since privatisation to fight back against the long hours and low pay culture in the bus industry."