Overtime ban in place

Workers at bus manufacturer Optare started a continuous overtime ban today in protest at the company’s refusal to honour a promised pay increase for 2019 and 2020.

The strike action will be followed by a series of 48-hour discontinuous stoppages to limit production and deliveries accepted.

Yorkshire Vision.............. Behind the scenes at Optare, Sherburn-in-Elmet, one of the biggest bus makers in Britain1st August 2018.
Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe — Yorkshire Vision.............. Behind the scenes at Optare, Sherburn-in-Elmet, one of the biggest bus makers in Britain1st August 2018. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Yorkshire Vision.............. Behind the scenes at Optare, Sherburn-in-Elmet, one of the biggest bus makers in Britain1st August 2018. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe

Unite, the union, said workers at the company, which is owned by the billionaire Hinduja brothers, are paid below the industry standard.

Unite regional officer Richard Bedford said: “The decision to strike is never taken lightly, especially in the current climate, but our members have reached the end of their tether with Optare’s point-blank refusal to honour its word.”

But Optare, which is based at Sherburn-in-Elmet, said it had put in place contingency plans to maintain production and to deliver orders.

Through the Covid crisis, the firm has furloughed workers on 100 per cent of their pay.

Graham Belgum, chief executive, said: “A rolling programme of stoppages and strike action during the Covid pandemic whilst we prepare for the turnaround of Optare to put the business on a firm financial footing is unhelpful.”