- Conference
- 2009 Transport Service Group Conference
- Date
- 2 March 2009
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that with the increasing use of Smartcard technology a significant number of jobs of data collection staff are under consideration by managements. Since de-regulation over 20 years ago the quality of public transport by bus is no longer paramount in the strategies of many bus operators. The media continues to report that a substantial percentage of the travelling public remain exasperated at the frequent change and withdrawal of services with seeming disregard to the fact that services are provided for the benefit of the public.
Conference regrets that, despite the placing of the Local Transport Act 2008 onto the statute book, that apart from the conversion of PTA’s to ITA’s, very little improvement in the quality of service provision to the public has taken place or is planned in many areas across the UK. With structural change about to take place in local government threats to the jobs of our members remain uppermost in our minds.
Conference notes that change for the good can be made and would draw attention to the situation in the West Midlands conurbation, where Centro along with many operators, has voluntary partnerships in place that should, along with much capital investment improve service presentation. Service experience on street remains the biggest concern and ITA staff can be used to check out bus operation and passenger experience.
Current transport authority/executive staff are obtaining service and passenger information and their expertise should be retained to assure service quality.
Conference calls on the Transport Executive to:
i)Ensure that detailed discussion on changing work content and working patterns to safeguard jobs forms an agenda item on all pay and conditions negotiating meetings;
ii)Encourage branches to raise the issue of public transport service quality with local MPs;
iii)Seek support from other parts of the union where similar threats to jobs are likely to arise from the increasing use of Smartcard technology;
iv)Seek the support of the NEC, together with other transport unions, to campaign for retention of staff undertaking valuable service quality work.