Support the Devon Bus drivers Strike (report)

Why no info on the most significant ‘local’ public strike for years, the Devon Stagecoach drivers strike: I am saddened it is not here, I am not from the West Country.

I wonder if it shows the middle class interests/leanings of many of the IMC west posters: anti –militarism, environment, festivals, all good causes but nothing on overty/wages/industrial issues


Anyways, here it is, a major call to arms for you West Country folk!



We will fight to Win!

Report by: Pete Sloman
Published: Tuesday 15 July 2003

Hundreds of striking Stagecoach Devon bus drivers held a short march through the centre of Exeter today and attended a mass meeting on the third day of their industrial action. The strikers, standing shoulder to shoulder in the social club, were addressed by local officials, regional organiser Phil Bialyk and RMT General Secretary Bob Crow.
Earlier the union leaders toured local picket lines in Torquay and Exmouth.
Bob Crow told LabourNet “The strike is absolutely solid. Stagecoach are rattled and we are going to win.”. Asked about his recent comments on the anti-union labour laws he said “It’s ridiculous that the bosses can import scabs from around the country, enjoy police protection, and injure our people with impunity when it is illegal for us to even suggest that our members and other workers take solidarity action to defend workers rights. It makes it difficult for us to support a Labour government that refuses to repeal these Tory laws. I would not be surprised if other Stagecoach workers took action in support of this strike.”

At the mass meeting Crow announced that the RMT had set up a new hardship fund that is due to come into place next January. In the meantime he was prepared for the union to take out loans against the future fund to support the Devon strikers. He promised that the strike would only be called off when the membership voted to do so and called for the maximum unity among the membership to make sure the strike was won.
Local officials praised the solidarity and discipline of the bus workers with special praise going to the one manager/controller who had joined the strike from day one and remained active on the picket line. The mood of the strikers is upbeat and confident and public support is high. One example is that a passing motorist prevented a scab bus from re-entering the bus depot for several minutes, to the huge delight of the picket line, by just stopping in front of the bus and sounding his horn.

Local socialists are setting up a support committee with the backing of Exeter CWU and FBU and with unofficial support (so far) of the NUT and PCS. The first meeting will be held in St. David’s Community Centre, St. David’s Hill at 7.30pm Monday 21 July. More information can be obtained from 07792 136721.
Supporters collected 500 names on a petition and £46.65 at the weekend. The money has been given to the strike fund and the petition to Stagecoach will be delivered Wednesday, when negotiations over the pay claim recommence.