Bus drivers across Wales to go on strike in pay dispute
- Safer Highways
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
First Cymru drivers will go on strike next week. It comes following a dispute over a pay increase for which an agreement has not been reached with trade union Unite.
It means industrial action will be taken from Wednesday, October 22, until Saturday, October 25.
It will affect bus services across south and west Wales. A further period of strike action will also be taken from October 30 to November 2 and November 5 to November 8.
Staff are demanding a pay award of £15 per hour to bring them in line with Cardiff Bus and Arriva in north Wales. Staff at depots in Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, and Ammanford will be walking out.
The bus provider has warned of "significant disruption" ahead for people who rely on the public transport.
A statement from First read: "Despite talks and every possible effort we have been unable to reach agreement with the Unite trade union regarding a pay offer for our driving, engineering, and some support colleagues across south and west Wales.
"This will result in industrial action that will lead to significant disruption to First Bus services across south and west Wales from Wednesday, October 22, to Saturday, October 25 inclusive.
"We have also been informed by the union that they are also planning to strike on additional dates between October 30 and November 2 and between November 5 and November 8.
"We are liaising with the union and will provide further updates as we approach these additional dates."
First says updates on disruption to services will be published on its website in due course.
Drivers, cleaners, engineers, stores workers, and administrative staff in depots across Wales will be walking out during the action.
Members of Unite rejected a 5% pay rise because it says the employer was trying to withhold 60% of owed backpay. It claims the company also pays new recruits an even lower wage for 12 months.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “First Group is a hugely profitable company making millions yet it is treating its workers, and the communities they come from in Wales, with utter disdain.
“It is simply unacceptable to pay poverty wages, offer a paltry pay rise, and then try and withhold backpay. Our members won’t stand for it and they have the full support of their union in this dispute.”
Unite regional coordinating officer Alan McCarthy added: “This strike will shut down the bus network across huge swathes of the country but it is a dispute entirely of First Cymru’s own making.
"All our members want is to be paid in line with other colleagues at other bus companies and for that pay to be backdated.