Municipal makes move in response to 5% vacancy rate

 
Pay award sees top rate of pay increase to £13.10 per hour

 
Nottingham City Transport has announced significant pay increases for driving staff and new starters that will make them amongst the highest earners in the country outside London.

In December the council-owned bus operator announced the introduction of a temporary timetable from January 10 that saw NCT adopting a Saturday timetable on weekdays and taking the tough decision to suspend the entire NightBus network as the operator battled with a crippling driver shortages.

The operator admitted that it had a vacancy rate of around 5% with a further 5% of staff unable to attend work whilst they self-isolate because of Covid-19, resulting in an increasing number of short notice cancellations to the its network.

Now bus staff at the operator have overwhelmingly accepted a substantial pay offer, which sees the city’s bus drivers earning amongst the highest rates in the UK outside the capital.

A total of 82% of drivers voted to accept the offer, which was negotiated between NCT and local officials from the Unite trade union.

The new rates of pay commence from January 30, two months ahead of the normal anniversary date. It sees the top rate increase by £1 per hour to £13.10 per hour.

NCT’s starter rate for new drivers, including during their full training period, increases to £11.32 per hour. After six months, this rises to £11.71 per hour.

In addition the operator has highlighted a “generous” benefits package that includes paid meal breaks, pension scheme, a health care package that includes dental and optical care and life assurance.

Our drivers have been working on the front line throughout the pandemic, keeping Nottingham moving. This pay award recognises their exceptional efforts and also incorporates an adjustment, recognising that the labour market for drivers has tightened in the last six months.

“Our drivers have been working on the front line throughout the pandemic, keeping Nottingham moving,” said David Astill, NCT’s managing director. “This pay award recognises their exceptional efforts and also incorporates an adjustment, recognising that the labour market for drivers has tightened in the last six months.

“We offer some of the highest pay rates for bus driving in the country, and encourage people contemplating a change of career to seriously consider joining Britain’s best bus company for a career that has always offered long term security and generous benefits.”

Simon Harris, Unite’s branch secretary, said the pay award was “a significant result for our members”. “By standing together in unity they ensured that the company made a pay offer that met their expectations,” he added.

 
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