could they recoup some of the 2.8m by selling some of their no longer required north devon assets to stagecoach?
Could they get out of redundancy pay outs if they arrange new employment for their drivers with other companies i.e. Stagecoach?
All though not the original take over, selling the assets and arranging employment for their staff following their closure, may have the same effect as sale of business, without the TUPE▸ process for staff, and the competition commisioner getting in the way.
As the competition commissioner did not get so far as to make a decision, it's a bit unfair to blame him for this mess. First will have had to make their staff repugnant, as there were no longer jobs for them. Whether or not the same staff found work with Stagecoach is immaterial here. Stagecoach will not be bound by TUPE to pay them the same and give them the same conditions of service, a bitter pill that may be softened by trousering the redundancy cash. Or for all I know, Brian Souter and Ann Gloag may have dipped hands in pockets to pay better wages (doubt it). There won't be many drivers with PSV licences looking for work in those parts other than the former First employees.
I was in South Molton yesterday, and drove past the Mill on the Mole stop. I must admit that I didn't notice anything different. I passed the Bishops Nympton bus, run by Buglers, but everything looked like it has done for centuries.
Back in Bristol today, I am saddened to see that First are not trying to flog their expensive operation here.
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