The drivers first struck July 18 and began an overtime ban in response to a 5 percent pay offer that changed the contract for some drivers with worse working conditions. After this strike the bosses withdrew the proposed concessions but reduced their pay offer. Sensing they could make more progress, the drivers struck again over the July 30 weekend.

“Not a bus has moved,” explained striking bus driver Ally Fraser outside the Annandale Street Bus depot here on July 30. Fraser and other pickets were buoyed by the failure that morning of the bosses’ attempt to bring in strikebreakers. “No one has crossed,” he reported. “This is our first strike in more than 25 years,” said T&G branch chairman Peter Williamson.

Boosted by their success, the unionists voted at mass meetings August 1 for an all-out strike beginning nine days later. The bosses responded with a propaganda campaign that included company chairman Pilmar Smith issuing a personal letter and “ballot” to the drivers August 3 urging them to vote on the company’s latest offer over the heads of the union.

“They are just trying to split the union up,” explained driver John Kerhaw. Within hours of the company letter a wildcat walkout began. Workers gathered outside the depots, refusing to work, as the city bus service began grinding to a halt. Drivers returned to work after three hours on the urging of union officials. “I didn’t realize how far the drivers were prepared to take it,” said Williamson.

The next day Lothian Buses issued a new pay offer of £8.78 backdated to March, £9 starting in December, and £9.50 from March 2007. The unionists will vote on the proposal later this month.

Meanwhile, drivers at First Bus in Scotland have rejected a company offer of a 3 percent wage increase. Their vote on strike action will be completed by August 22, reported Scotland Today.  
 
 
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