Supporters of bus driver Tracey Scholes, the first woman bus driver at the Manchester depot, will be out in full force this Tuesday to demand her reinstatement ahead of her final appeal
So far over 25,000 have signed the petition calling for Tracey’s reinstatement and over a thousand people have written to the CEO Christian Schreyer calling on him to intervene.
Tracey 57, who is 5ft, lost her job on the No 17 from Rochdale to Manchester after 34 years of service because her managers said she lacked the capability to drive a new model of bus.
Adjustments made to the wing mirrors on the new vehicles and changes to a screen brought in to protect drivers meant Scholes would have to lean back to see the mirror, leaving her unable to reach the pedals.
Tracey’s final appeal takes place today at the Queens Road depot. Britain’s leading union, Unite, has pledged to launch an unrelenting campaign to support Tracey in the event that Go Ahead decides to wreak unlimited damage on its own international reputation by refusing to reinstate Tracey on full pay and hours.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Tracey Scholes was the first woman bus driver at the Manchester depot. Her appointment broke the mould for women in the bus industry. She has given 34 years of unblemished service. It seems inconceivable, that due to the blind intransigence of its local management in Manchester, Go Ahead is now ready to watch unlimited damage to its international reputation as a result of the tawdry treatment of Tracey. But that is exactly what is happening. From Poland to Turkey, from Norway to Indonesia, media reports have pilloried the bull-headed stance of local Go Ahead management.”
Unite regional officer Dave Roberts said: “Go Ahead Group management can end this catastrophe by reinstating Tracey on full pay and full hours. Management only has to find Tracey one hour of work a day. If they fail to do so then they must recognise their reputation will be tarnished forever internationally and they will face the consequences of that as well as facing an unrelenting campaign to save Tracey’s job.”
