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Last Updated: Friday, 11 July, 2003, 16:27 GMT 17:27 UK
Picketing driver injured by bus
Strikers and bus
Drivers carried out the first one-day walkout on Tuesday
A bus driver on strike has been taken to hospital after being injured by a bus crossing a picket line in south Devon.

The incident involved a double-decker bus at Paignton bus station.

The driver of the vehicle is being questioned at Torquay police station, but officers say he tested negative to a routine breath test.

The injured man, Trevor Reynolds, is being treated at Torbay Hospital, but police say his injuries are "minor".

Bus company Stagecoach said a full investigation will take place into the accident.

Bus passengers across south and east Devon faced another day of disruption as Stagecoach drivers went on strike for the second time in a week.

We believe that this company is not fulfilling its statutory obligation in providing a service for the public
Phil Bialyk, RMT
Drivers want a 10% pay rise, which would give them �6.50 an hour, plus a one-hour cut in their working week, and have planned a series of strikes which will see seven days of action over three weeks.

The strike follows failed talks between Stagecoach and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) after the bus firm said drivers could have the rise - if they accepted a reduction in holidays and breaks.

In all, around a quarter of services were running on Friday. But on some routes no services operated.

Drivers and managerial staff from other parts of the Stagecoach group helped out to try to give passengers some services.

The industrial action is affecting Stagecoach services in Torbay, Exeter and east Devon.

Some bus services have been cancelled since the strike on Tuesday because bosses have banned overtime to drivers taking industrial action over pay.

A company memo said the overtime ban will stay in effect until the series of strikes is called off.

Stagecoach bus
The RMT union has rejected Stagecoach's 3.2% pay rise offer
The memo, to Stagecoach staff who allot shifts at the firm, instructs them not to give any overtime or rest day working to drivers taking strike action.

It ends by saying that it was a specific instruction from managing director Chris Hilditch.

Mr Hilditch admitted that seven or eight vehicles had not been on the road because of the overtime ban.

He said: "If they want the overtime they should complete their contract.

"Overtime is only available when you complete your contracted week. These men are not completing their contracted week, so overtime is disallowed."

However, the RMT described Stagecoach's actions as a "punishment" on drivers and it is taking its complaints to traffic commissioners, who regulate the industry.

Phil Bialyk, of the RMT, said: "We believe that this company is not fulfilling its statutory obligation in providing a service for the public using all the resources that they've got."


WATCH AND LISTEN
The BBC's Hamish Marshall
"The mood on the picket line remains resolute...."



SEE ALSO:
Bus drivers go on strike
08 Jul 03  |  Devon
Bus company prepares for strike
07 Jul 03  |  Devon
Bus strike talks break down
01 Jul 03  |  Devon
Bus drivers to vote on strike
02 Jun 03  |  Devon
Stagecoach faces losing licence
03 Jan 03  |  England


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