London Buses Can’t Handle the Heat, Says Unite

September 30th, 2009 LONDON - Unite, the UK's largest trade union, has today (Thursday) welcomed the findings of an independent report, produced by the Royal Automobile Club Foundation (RAC) which states that Mayor Boris Johnson is "pre-occupied with minority-focused transport schemes and high-cost initiatives". Unite regional industrial organiser, Peter Kavanagh, said: "Unite warned the Mayor that the withdrawal of the bendy bus would mean more buses, more operating costs and more congestion on the already congested roads of London.

September 30th, 2009 LONDON - Rob MacGregor, Unite national officer, said: "This agreement is a smoke screen designed to deflect criticism away from those who brought our banking system to its knees. The industry remains over populated with the greedy, arrogant and corrupt.

September 8th, 2009 LONDON - Diageo's announcement today (Wednesday 9th September) to reject proposals by the Scottish Government that would safeguard jobs has outraged Unite, the UK's biggest union. Unite is also furious that Diageo has made the announcement before the conclusion of the 90-day consultation period.

June 29th, 2009 LONDON - Unite and the GMB, the lead unions in British Airways, have this evening (Tuesday) issued the following statement concerning ongoing talks with the airline in relation to its financial situation: "Talks between BA and Unite have adjourned for today (Tuesday) untill 10am tomorrow (Wednesday) when we will reconvene to contine negotiations on a mutually acceptable way forward which protects the long term interests of our members, loyal BA customers, investors and the company." Source: Unite the UnionFor further information please contact Pauline Doyle on +44(0)7976-832-861

June 20th, 2009 LONDON - Assistant general secretary, Les Bayliss said: "Total refused to meet with ACAS and the unions last Friday even though unofficial action was spreading across the country. On Monday Unite will be available to sit down with the employers to assist with negotiations.

April 7th, 2009 LONDON - Unite, one of the former sponsors of the Rise anti-racism festival, has today (Wednesday), slammed London Mayor Boris Johnson for his short-sighted and hasty decision to cancel the event on the basis of what he deemed to be a lack of 'major sponsorship'. Unite regional secretary, Steve Hart, said: "Unite was never approached by the London Mayor, or by any of his staff in the run-up to this decision.

April 1st, 2009 LONDON - Derek Simpson, Unite joint general secretary, said: "The announcement by Aviva to cut 1,100 staff will cause alarm across the insurance industry. Today we see a scenario where a company that is continuing to deliver positive results is slashing the staff that have enabled them to weather the current financial storm.

March 24th, 2009 LONDON - Unite has accused HSBC of "creative accountancy" with jobs as HSBC concedes that the true number of job cuts is in fact 2,900 as the union has rightly claimed, and not 1,200 as HSBC had originally claimed. Derek Simpson, Unite Joint General Secretary, said: "As if it was not bad enough for staff of HSBC to hear from the media that their jobs are at risk, we now have a situation where the company is failing to come clean with the true extent of these cuts.

March 17th, 2009 LONDON - Rob MacGregor, Unite national officer, said: "Another review with more rhetoric than substance will do nothing to reassure consumers or staff in the financial services industry. Action is well over-due by those who oversee the UK's financial services sector in order to overhaul the flawed sector and bring back trust.

March 12th, 2009 LONDON - Unite, the UK's biggest civil air transport union, welcomes the announcement today (Friday) from the High Court that the challenge to the expansion of Stansted airport has been suspended. Steve Turner, Unite National Officer, said: "We are delighted at this decision today and hope we can now move on and develop an expansion programme at Stansted airport.

June 17th, 2009 13 school buses damaged or destroyed in NJ fireSOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Thirteen yellow school buses have been damaged or destroyed in a suspicious fire at a New Jersey yard.

December 25th, 2008 NEW DELHI - The Delhi government Friday said 100 Blueline buses, termed as 'killer' buses for causing a large number of deaths on the city's roads, would be phased out every month starting from March next year. The government will eventually phase out all Blueline buses, said Delhi Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely.

June 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government Monday gave the go ahead to Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to purchase 1,000 semi-low floor buses. The cabinet has given its nod for purchase of 1,000 semi-low floor buses to DTC to enable it to strengthen its city fleet.

February 5th, 2009 AHMEDABAD - The Gujarat State Road Transport Corp will buy 1,500 Volvo AC buses to attract more passengers, an official said here Friday. The new buses, adding to the existing fleet of 7,300 buses, will cover more routes, said GSRTC secretary P.D.

January 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) Friday clarified that there was no shortage of compressed natural gas (CNG) and it had run 100 more buses than usual. 'There is no shortage of CNG supply for our buses.

December 25th, 2008 NEW DELHI - As the Delhi government announced it would phase out 100 Blueline buses every month starting from March next year, the authorities Friday impounded over 150 of these privately-owned buses and cancelled their licences. The Delhi Police spokesperson said permits of 158 Blueline buses were cancelled for flouting norms.

June 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the Delhi Government has decided to start phasing out of Blueline buses from July onwards by replacing them with modern buses over a period of next five months. The Shiela Dikshit-led Delhi Government had announced last year that it would phase out the buses since witnessing a big public outcry over Blueline buses after being blamed to be involved in a number of road accidents involving several deaths.

May 5th, 2009 LONDON - Football ace striker Cristiano Ronaldo is buying a red double-decker bus to impress his nieces and nephews. The Manchester United winger marvels at the London buses when he's with his team in the capital.

July 4th, 2009 PATNA - Suspected Maoists Saturday hijacked two buses in Gaya district after letting the passengers get off, police said. The Maoists stopped the two private vehicles near Dumaria and asked the passengers to get down, police said.

July 5th, 2009 GAYA - Maoist set two buses on fire after hijacking them in Gaya district of Bihar, police said on Sunday. According to reports, Maoists torched the buses as the owner refused to pay them ransom.