Leeds passenger transport strikes suspended after council agrees improvements
Passenger transport strikes in Leeds have been suspended after the city council set out plans to improve the service, Unite has confirmed.
Industrial action involving around 80 Unite members employed by Leeds City Council Passenger Transport, which had been scheduled for this week, will no longer go ahead following negotiations between the union and the authority.
Workers had been due to strike today (January 22) and tomorrow (January 23), with further walkouts planned later this month.
The dispute involves drivers who transport service users - including children with learning difficulties - to school, as well as passenger assistants and office support staff.
Unite said workers had already taken industrial action after a series of cuts to the service.
Following talks, Unite confirmed that further strike action has been paused. The union said Leeds City Council has agreed to a number of improvements, including the provision of risk assessments and training, as well as the appointment of an interim head of service to provide additional support.
Unite has given the council until February 2 to implement the agreed changes. If progress is not made, strike action will resume from February 4.
Unite regional officer Chris Muscroft said: “Unite has suspended industrial action while the agreed plans are being put in place.
“This pause will give Leeds council the chance to deliver on its commitments. Unite will be monitoring the progress of this over the coming weeks.”