Bus firm sorry over wee-in-bottle memo to drivers

Stagecoach workers were angered by the memo from Stagecoach bosses

A bus company has apologised over a "wholly inappropriate" memo it sent to drivers about urinating in bottles on shifts.

Stagecoach workers in Manchester who were already angry over a lack of toilet facilities said they were warned this week that if they were to relieve themselves in bottles, they should not leave them behind on their vehicles.

Unite the Union general secretary Sharon Graham said the firm's approach was "intolerable" considering how long the union had been campaigning for facilities for drivers.

A Stagecoach Manchester spokesperson said: "We want to extend our sincere apologies to all our colleagues for the recent internal message regarding comfort breaks while on duty.

"The language and tone used in the communication was wholly inappropriate and fell far below the standards we set for ourselves as an employer."

The spokesperson said the message did not reflect the values of the company "or the respect we have for the hard work of our drivers".

'Intolerable'

The union said the message to staff said "if nature calls while you're on the go and you have to use a bottle for a quick comfort break (we get it - tight schedules happen), please make sure to take it with you".

The company's drivers are among 2000 across the region taking part on a strike which began on Friday and is set to continue until Monday, affecting the majority of services in Greater Manchester.

Senior Shop Steward for Stagecoach in Manchester Simon Thomas said the memo was an example of the "constant pressures" drivers were under.

He said: "They're working harder for less."

Ms Graham said there was "no excuse" for Stagecoach to send such a message to staff, and that the company had done nothing to address the lack of toilet facilities for women.

"This is intolerable and Unite will not stand by and allow our members to be insulted. We have long campaigned for workers to have proper access to toilets - any employer who does not do this, will be exposed," she said.

The union said Stagecoach staff had told them the message had caused "a lot of anger".

In response, Stagecoach said it was "reviewing all relevant processes as a matter of urgency to ensure all staff have access to proper facilities during their shifts".