Workers will now be balloted on the new offer, with union Unite warning that two more waves of industrial action will take place if the offer is rejected
A planned First Cymru bus strike that was due to take place in October has been postponed(Image: South Wales Evening Post)
Planned bus driver strikes at bus company First Cymru across south and west Wales over a pay dispute have been partially suspended after a late new offer was brought to the table. Strikes were due to begin on October 22 until October 25 which would have been the first of three weekly waves of action. The first wave has now been called off to allow a ballot to take place on the new and amended offer from the bus company.
Remaining action, scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 2, and November 5 to 8, is still planned to take place should the offer be rejected. Staff have demanded 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 all still plan to walk out if the ballot is rejected.
Unite regional coordinating officer Alan McCarthy said: “Following our decision to take industrial action, First Cymru has come back with a new and amended pay offer for our members.
“As an act of goodwill we have called off planned strike action next week to allow a ballot to take place.
“If the offer is rejected by members then remaining strike action will continue as planned.”
Managing director for First Bus Cymru, Doug Claringbold, added: “We are pleased that the union has decided to suspend its planned strikes for four days from October 22 while its members consider our new pay offer.
“We have always committed to working with Unite the union to try and settle this dispute to avoid unnecessary disruption to customers.
“We hope for a favourable outcome so we’re able to keep our buses on the road and continue serving our customers.
“We are continuing to monitor the union’s plans for two four-day strikes from October 30 and November 5, and will post updates on our website shortly.”
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.
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