James Moore: AGMs to tackle worker disputes is smart move

Outlook America's Teamsters will be out in force at today's National Express annual meeting, as part of a long-standing row over the alleged treatment of workers at the transport company's US school bus business.

Their motion calling for a board committee to be set up to investigate the alleged treatment of workers at the operation will probably be defeated. But it's notable that a number of pension funds have backed the motion and will likely bring it up again next year.

What is also significant about the affair is the co-operation established between the Teamsters and the Unite union here. Strikes might get pulses racing, but using AGMs like this is proving to be a very effective alternative tactic. While National Express appears to be digging in, others could save themselves similar pain by engaging in dialogue before it gets that far.