‘This country can’t run without us’

Unite Executive Council member and a bus worker James Mitchell spoke today (September 29) at the Labour Party conference on the Living Standards and Sustainability report regarding transport and the issue of buses.

“I am a London bus worker,” said James.

Unite has a long and proud record of representing transport workers and making the case for high quality transport and for public transport.

“Margaret Thatcher was said to have declared that, ‘If you are a young man of 26 and still riding a bus, you’re a loser’,” said James.

“Well at 51 I’m still going strong and proud of it,” he added.

Buses are the most frequently used and the most democratic form of public transport.

“They are the lifelines of our communities,” said James.

But there have been 2,000 bus routes cut since 2010 and nearly 500 services cut in the last year alone.

“We need more public ownership and accountability,” said James.

“Privatisation and deregulation is not the answer. It was Labour Mayor that changed things in London but under Boris Johnson public transport has been attacked,” he added.

James made reference to Sadiq Khan, recently appointed London Labour Mayoral candidate.

“On the positive side, I am sure that the next Labour Mayor of London – Sadiq Khan, the son of a bus driver – will change it again,” he said.

“As a bus worker myself I know first-hand the disaster of privatisation and deregulation in the bus industry,” he added.

Unite represents 90,000 bus workers. They have been at the forefront of trying to repair the damage caused by bus deregulation.

“We need an integrated network of properly regulated bus services, run for the benefit of passengers, not for excess profits,” said James.

“And we will be at the forefront of challenging any threats to bus services that may be in the forthcoming Buses Bill,” he added.

Unite will also be campaigning for proper TUPE protection for bus workers affected by the tendering process.

‘Quality Contracts’ give local authorities the power to determine service delivery, set affordable fares and stipulate decent terms and conditions, as well as pensions, for bus workers.

“It is shameful that operators are against this,” said James.

“A transport policy based on market forces cannot meet the national public interest. We need to end the cuts to bus services,” he added.

James finished by talking about what the next Labour government must do ensure our transport system is safe and its workforce valued.

“We need a Labour government to deliver a strong, integrated and sustainable transport strategy that recognises the importance of transport and the value of transport workers to society, to the economy and to the environment,” said James.

“Because this country can’t run without us,” he added.

Watch James’ full speech in the video below: