Stand Up For Southport Blog by Andrew Brown
Let’s hear it for Arriva bus drivers.
They’ve been unsung heroes for a long time, quietly doing what they do best, without fuss, but always there when we need them most.
It’s not until these past four weeks that we’ve really appreciated how much we rely on them, as they’ve been on strike in a dispute over pay which began on 20th July and thankfully edns this Thursday (18th August).
The action was taken when the drivers felt they had no choice but to walk out, as they sought parity of wages with rapidly rising inflation. Food bills; energy bills; fuel bills; everything is going up.
The drivers have been broadly supported on social media, although they have taken some abuse too.
It has been a frustrating time for people, and I can understand that. I regularly take an Arriva bus to carry out my part-time work at Queenscourt Hospice in Southport. It’s not been easy without buses. Others have struggled to get to work, to meet friends, to meet relatives.
There has been criticism online, such as: “11% that’s c.4 times what the NHS had got. I’m expecting less attitude from the drivers from tomorrow. The world doesn’t owe you a living.”
Or: “Greedy”. Or: “So they are worth more than NHS ,,,never.”
They’ve never chased an inflation-busting rise – they never asked for a 20% rise, they asked for parity, so they could pay the same bills today that they were able to pay last year.
They never compared themselves to NHS or other emergency workers – I imagine they would welcome pay rises for people working in those sectors too. It’s not about competing with others.
There has been huge support for them too. People are glad to see the buses back running again, glad to see the drivers secure the pay rises they sought, pleased to see public transport back on the streets of Southport.
Comments on Stand Up For Southport included: “Delighted for you drivers. Well done. Supported you 100% no matter how long it took.”
“Be pleased for them it’s a big decision to vote to strike and follow through.”
“Well done to the drivers for standing their ground, very well deserved.”
My experience of Arriva bus drivers is of really friendly, helpful people.
That moment when you try to run down the road when the bus is coming? I’ve seen them wait for me (and others) to catch up. I’ve seen partially-sighted or elderly people, or people unfamiliar with the area, guided to their bus stop. I’ve seen bus drivers with the patience of saints when the vehicles are packed on the school run, or taking people home from a night out, or in the face of bad drivers in rush hour traffic.
They carried on taking people where they needed to be throughout the Covid pandemic and beyond. Let’s not forget that during those dark months, bus drivers were some of the worst hit by Covid tragedies.
Unlike some other bus services I’ve seen elsewhere in the country, you can normally set your watch by Arriva services too, they’re so punctual.
I’ve missed our Arriva buses in Southport. I’m glad to see them back. I’m glad the drivers feel their action has resulted in them earning a fair wage for a fair day’s work. And I appreciate them for what they do. Welcome back.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
