Go North West bus driver sacked for being 'too short' sees petition pass 27k

Tracey Scholes, who was given her notice by Go North West, had been offered to either reduce her hours or face the sack after it made changes to some of its fleet last year.

The change to the positioning of the mirrors meant the 57-year-old could no longer reach the pedals safely without a blind spot appearing. 

At the time, the bus driver who has worked at the depot for 34 years, hit out as she said she was being "punished" for something that is not her "fault."

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But last night, a petition calling for her to be reinstated with the same pay and hours reached more than 27,000 signatures as dozens protested outside Queens Road depot in Manchester on Tuesday.

Picture: UNITE NORTH WEST

Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite the Union, slammed the company which owns Go North West, Go Ahead for their decision as the driver lodged her final appeal on Tuesday.

Go Ahead also owns the largest bus operator in the region, Go North East.

Ms 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.

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"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." 

Picture: UNITE NORTH WEST

Ms Scholes previously revealed how she had not slept because of "worrying over the future" and said she was supporting her three children financially.

She told BBC North West Tonight: "I feel loyalty doesn't count any more. I cannot afford to take a pay cut. I am being punished - and it is not my fault."

The changes to some buses in the fleet meant that five foot tall Ms Scholes was only able to operate a limited number of services, reducing the amount of hours available - and pay. 

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According to reports, Ms Scholes had offered to complete admin work or clean a bus in order to make up for the lost hours - but an agreement could not be reached.  

She previously told the Manchester Evening News: "If it justifies them paying me another hour a day I'll do admin work or clean a bus.

"If they gave me that extra five hours I'd take the deal but they won't budge.

"There are simple things they can do and they are refusing. I'm sure it wouldn't break the bank for them to pay me the hours they have been for years."

Unite previously accused Go North West of "designing" the driver out of her job, saying the management only needed to find one hour of work a day to resolve the issue.

Dave Roberts, Unite regional officer, 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." 

What Go North West has said

A spokesperson for the company previously said they were "extremely sorry" to see Ms Scholes' employment come to an end.

They said: "Tracey was a valued member of our team at Go North West and we are extremely sorry to see her go.

"The design of the mirrors on our buses was agreed after consultation with Unite some time ago.

"All our other drivers of similar height to Tracey are able to view them safely.

"When Tracey raised a concern with us, we made numerous proposals to accommodate her, including offering to put her on different routes, and different types of buses.

"Unfortunately, all our suggestions were rejected.

"Dedicated, experienced, hardworking bus drivers are difficult to find and so we would never act lightly in a situation like this.

"We are sorry that we were left with no choice but to bring this driver’s employment to an end."

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