BUS services in Teignbridge have been hit by driver shortages at Stagecoach South West, as their union RMT says their previously expressed over ’inadequate’ Covid precautions have now become reality.
Describing the number of drivers absent from work with Covid as ’pretty dire’, RMT Regional Organiser Barry West said the services affected would be the number two and 22 that run out of Newton Abbot and serve that area along with 77s and 39, 7s and 12s.
With up to 18 drivers off in Exeter and five with Covid in south Torbay.
Stagecoach South West strongly denied the allegations and says an ’extensive package’ of additional safety measures is in place to protect customers and employees.
But the union says services in Devon have been impacted by staff shortages.
Barry West said: ’I can assure you that the concerns were genuine and not a fabrication, and there are serious covid concerns that have yet to all be resolved.
’There were and still are ongoing concerns about inadequate Covid controls at Stagecoach South West.
’We are still calling upon the company to do more to protect those formerly classified as clinically extremely vulnerable as we have seen no improvements for this group of staff so the risk we believe to those in this category remains high with potentially fatal consequences.
’We predicted that numbers of staff falling sick would rise and we were concerned that levels of sickness due to the new variant would impact upon the companies ability to run services, that it would put our members at risk and place additional unnecessary strain upon the NHS here in Devon.
"It has been suggested that approximately 16 to 18 members in Exeter alone may well in fact be off sick with Covid currently. Disappointingly, no figures have been shared with us so that we can help find ways of introducing new control measures.
"We have been seeking discussions with the company for many weeks and since the new variant Omicron appeared. Sadly there has not been any date proposed by the company to review risk assessments collectively or to get together to hear the members concerns so there can be a collaborative overview here in the South West and an agreed action plan to reduce the risk.
’There has been correspondence but a very distinct lack of any kind of meeting so that resolutions can be worked out.’
The union has criticised Exeter’s new bus station for having poor air ventilation and concerns have been raised that its staff room is significantly smaller than at the old bus station.
The union added that morale is low among workers.
Barry said: ’Drivers, many who are experienced, are leaving because they feel undervalued and unsupported by the company, despite a new pay deal being reached recently that has brought about improvements.
’Terms, conditions and low pay still remain an issue as bus workers have to work long hours, evenings and weekend working so there are lots of antisocial aspects to the roles, often with long driving turns before any access to toilet facilities or much-needed rest is able to be taken.’
He added: ’We have been concerned about the impact upon the health and well-being of our members, with some reporting that they are suffering anxiety because they do not feel adequate protection is put in place to protect them or those they care for.’
A Stagecoach spokesman said: ’We are continuing to run the vast majority of our services as normal.
’As is the case with organisations across the country, we have seen some impact from the pandemic on staffing levels.
’However, the picture is improving and individuals are returning to work after their period of self-isolation.
’Our teams are working very hard to continue running our planned services for customers.
’Where there are some necessary changes to services, we continue to ensure customers are updated with as much notice as possible.
’We continue to have an extensive package of additional safety measures in place to protect our customers and employees during the pandemic.
’We are also in regular dialogue with our people and the RMT union to keep them updated on the evolving government guidelines and the precautions we have in place.’
BY NICK KNIGHT