Bus disruption as drivers set for two-month strike in pay dispute

BUS services across South Wales are set for major disruption as hundreds of workers at First Cymru prepare to launch a two-month continuous strike in an ongoing dispute over pay.

- LOIS MCCARTHY

Industrial action will begin on November 20 and continue until January 21, marking a significant escalation in the row between the company and its drivers.

According to the union Unite, employees are “furious” over current pay rates and the company’s alleged refusal to pay back-pay from the anniversary of their pay agreement.

Drivers say they have been left with little choice but to take action after what they describe as the company’s “refusal to negotiate in a reasonable manner”.

Workers are also angered by what they call the continued withholding of agreed back pay and a £50 “bung payment” allegedly offered to staff to cross the picket line.

Drivers are demanding what they describe as a fair and “reasonable rate of pay” that reflects the current cost of living and inflation.

Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “First Cymru is trying to take industrial relations back to the dark ages with its refusal to pay monies owed, attempts at union-busting to get staff to cross picket lines and all the while paying some of the lowest wages in the industry. Unite never stands for such behaviour. First needs to think again about how it is treating its workforce.”