UNITELANDWORKER Comment


Somerset bus routes saved


Four bus routes in rural crossing Somerset have been saved following a campaign from local people, including Unite Community members. The routes threatened serve communities surrounding Taunton, stretching as far as Yeovil, Dulverton, Wincanton and Minehead.


Campaigners were concerned about the impact these cuts would have on local people getting to work or college as well as accessing services, pointing out that some people had “no option than to go by bus”, and the services were a lifeline to many.


Bus users including Unite Community formed an umbrella organisation and organised to oppose the cuts. The campaign was a success, and buses will run until at least March 2025.


Judith Blaker from Unite Community Somerset and North Devon welcomed the reprieve but has concerns.


Judith said, “Whether the service has really been 'saved' has yet to be seen. The most recent timetable we have seen includes some devastating cuts, particularly in the busiest times of the day and when students needed to travel.”


Fellow Unite Community member Dave Osbourne added: “The threatened services have been saved, for now, but changes to timetables on some routes could make it difficult for people to get home from work.”


Meanwhile the campaign for better rural bus services continues across the country.


5 uniteLANDWORKER Spring 2024


Bev Clarkson Unite national officer


Food, drink and agricultural sector


long way There’s no doubt that being in Unite pays off especially in our diverse sector. Take our


Commonsense – it goes a


latest pay and conditions wins at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for example.


After negotiations the pay award our members received for 2024 was a minimum of 4 per cent and a maximum of 6.5 per cent. But a good deal for members is never just about the money. An important development was made with a condition called ‘the extensive travel allowance.’


This allowance was paid to employees who travel – but they must have spent at least four nights away from home in one month to claim the £20 per night payment. Some of our members were spending three nights away per month – and unable to claim, whereas other colleagues may have spent four nights away in one month and then only one night on occasion, yet they could claim.


This blatant unfairness had to end. We insisted the payment must be available to all on day one – and it was a victory for Unite and commonsense.


And that’s a word that goes a long way in my book. One of the things we’ve been talking about lately is how to get more of our women members interested in getting more involved in Unite.


When I visit the many workplaces we have I’m struck by the number of women I see in our industries. But when you go to regional and national industrial committees it is very male-dominated. There are even specifically designated women’s seats on these committees – many of them remained unfilled.


But we want to start to change that. We will host a one day FDA women’s seminar pilot for women in the north west region in September. I hope as many of our women members in that region as possible will be able to come along and take part.


More details are on page 15 – if not for you, then let your women members know.


Alamy


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