Drivers of SEND transport strike over safety fears

Staff at Leeds City Council said that workers lack essential equipment such as restraints and first aid and that risk assessments aren’t carried out. 

On ‘numerous occasions’ both staff and service users have been hurt, including assaults on staff by service users or service users harming one another.

The problem has deteriorated over the past 18 months due to funding cuts, said the union. 

Union workers including drivers of SEND transport on strike in Leeds on Friday. Photograph: Unite / X

As well as drivers of children, staff in the dispute include those who transport vulnerable adults with learning difficulties or complex health problems to medical appointments and community centres.

Eighty staff members, including passenger assistance and office support workers, are taking part in the strike which began on 9 January. Further walkouts are taking place on dates throughout January and February.

Unite regional officer Chris Muscroft said: "Strike action is a last resort for our members but these serious problems are not being addressed and they have no choice but to make their voices heard to protect themselves, their colleagues and those using the service.”

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said the authority was working with Unite to try to find a resolution to the concerns raised by members.

They said: "The pressure on passenger transport is being experienced by many local authorities, however in Leeds there have been no cuts to frontline services and we have increased the number of staff working in the service.

"We take all concerns seriously and have undertaken a number of measures to address these."