‘Peace plan’ talks

A crunch meeting to discuss a ‘peace plan’ to settle the five-month bus drivers’ dispute in Weymouth is due to take place in London on Friday (November 25).

Senior management from First Group, the parent company of First Hampshire & Dorset Ltd, as well as local managers, will meet with Unite national officer for passenger transport Bobby Morton and shop stewards from the bus drivers at Unite headquarters in central London.

“This has been a long running dispute, but I believe we are in touching distance of agreeing a peace plan,” said  Morton.

“This has followed talks with our members in Weymouth and Bridport and I am confident that the reformulated deal on pay, overtime rates and back pay will be accepted by both sides on Friday.”