Staff back Bluebird bid
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• The bid by management and staff at Bluebird Northern to buy their company as part of the Scottish Bus Group privatisation has received a boost, with a union vote in favour of a one-year pay freeze, Transport & General Workers' Union members at the Aberdeen-based company voted four to one to support the management/staff buyout bid, which would give employees an initial stake of 49% in the company. They have also accepted a freeze on present4age rates until the end of 1991 — a concession not available to other bidders.
'Local TGWU officer Ian Bruce says that Bluebird Northern has turned a 1989 loss of £500,000 into profit through improved productivity: "This suggests they can continue to perform well in future for the benefit of staff and customers."
The TGWU did not welcome the interest shown in Bluebird Northern by the neighbouring Grampian Transport, which was privatised in 1989 and already owns SBG's Midland Scottish company. Bruce believes that a buyout by Grampian could lead to job losses, higher fares and poorer service to the public.
However, Grampian chairman Moir Lockhead backs the Bluebird Northern bid and will only step in to stop an outside bidder gaining control.
Following recent decisions by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, there is a feeling in Scotland that a bid from Grampian would attract MMC interest.
Bluebird Northern has lost one of its four-man buyout team to Grampian: chief engineer Bill McCracken has left to join the Grampian-owned Midland company at Falkirk.