Bosses fail to thwart bus strike

First said the recession meant it could not afford a pay increase

A strike over pay by bus drivers in South Yorkshire will go ahead on Friday after managers failed to get an injunction to prevent the walkout.

Bus operator First's attempt to block the action was thrown out at the High Court in Leeds on Thursday.

The company was also refused the right to appeal.

The Unite union said: "The planned strike will go ahead tomorrow, bringing routes across Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster to a standstill."

The union has rejected a 2.95% pay award based on productivity improvements at depots in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster.

'No choice'

Talks held between transport operator First and Unite union officials at conciliation service Acas on Tuesday failed to bring an end to the dispute.

Brandon Jones, deputy managing director for First, said: "Due to the economic recession, which has seen unemployment in the Yorkshire region increase by 13% in the last three months, First has no available extra money to fund a pay increase.

"We have however said we are willing to review our current pay rate, subject to productivity improvements."

Steve Clark, Unite's regional industrial organiser, said: "Our members have been left with no other choice but to take strike action this Friday.

"First Group made £122m in 2008 but there is a group mandate of no pay awards for bus workers. This is unacceptable."

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