100 signatures reached
To: First Buses South Yorkshire Managing Director Zoe Hands
Demand Fair Pay and Safe Conditions for First Bus South Yorkshire depot workers
We, the undersigned residents and supporters, call on First Buses South Yorkshire Managing Director Zoe Hands to take immediate action to address the unjust treatment of cleaners, shunters, and refuelers at the Olive Grove bus depot in Sheffield and fellow workers in Doncaster.
These essential workers, employed by First’s contractor Bidvest Noonan, are striking because they are being paid below the Real Living Wage, despite First’s public commitment to being an accredited Living Wage Employer. Earlier this year, First announced that all workers, including those employed through third-party contractors, would be paid at least £12/hour. Yet, these workers—who keep our buses running safely and clean during unsociable hours—continue to be underpaid. Bidvest has told workers that they will not receive the Real Living Wage until November 2026, when its contract is up for renewal. This is despite its parent company reportedly earning £278 million in profits in the second half of 2023.
The issues go beyond wages. Workers have reported unsafe conditions, such as women being required to work late-night shifts without adequate lone worker procedures. Additionally, they face unreasonable workloads, with only 12 minutes allocated to clean an entire bus, jeopardising both passenger comfort and public health. These practices are unacceptable, particularly as winter brings heightened risks of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
While First South Yorkshire Managing Director Zoe Hands claims the company is ‘actively encouraging’ Bidvest Noonan to implement an early pay rise in line with the Real Living Wage, they are simultaneously undermining the workers’ strike by lending staff to their contractor to cover absences, rather than addressing the root causes of their grievances. Such actions are deeply disappointing and further delay the resolution of the dispute.
First South Yorkshire clearly has more leverage over its contractor than it is willing to admit, and we therefore demand the following:
- Ensure that Bidvest Noonan immediately meets the workers’ demands, including paying them a Real Living Wage.
- Enforce safe working conditions and reasonable workloads for all workers at the Olive Grove and Doncaster depots.
- Cease any actions that undermine the workers’ strike and commitment to fair treatment.
Stand with the workers who keep Sheffield moving. Demand dignity, fair pay, and safety for all employees.
Sign this petition to show your support for the First Bus depot workers and urge First Buses South Yorkshire to act now.
Why is this important?
With South Yorkshire moving toward a franchised bus system, we will hold the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority accountable for approving contracts only with operators that ensure fair wages and safe conditions for all staff. By dragging its feet in settling this dispute, First is risking its reputation in South Yorkshire as an operator and employer in this respect.
How it will be delivered
It will be handed in to the Managing Director.