A number of bus services across Wales could be delayed or cancelled next week after drivers at First Cymru voted in favour of industrial action. Staff are set to walk out after talks with senior managers at the company failed to resolve disputes over pay and conditions.
First Cymru, which has its headquarters in Swansea but runs services around the country, has confirmed that strike action is set to go ahead on September 15, 2022, and further strikes may follow. Currently, the company is unable to confirm which services will be impacted by the strike but says it will adopt an "emergency timetable" during the period of industrial action. Details of this will be available on the First Cymru website soon, staff say.
Read more: Firefighters and control room staff to vote on strike action
Confirming at least one day of strike action was set to go ahead, managing director at First Cymru, Jane Reakes-Davies, said: "We can confirm that our bus driver colleagues have confirmed their intention to take industrial action including an overtime ban and days of strikes, after rejecting three pay offers following extensive talks with the senior leadership team at First Cymru.
"The final offer made would have seen the drivers receive an inflation matching 9.5% pay uplift along with backpay to April, with a commitment to enter fresh talks in advance of April, 2023. We are hugely disappointed and frustrated that, despite extensive talks and multiple ballots, and after trying to give our people the best possible rise the business can afford, we have not been able to reach an amicable conclusion to discussions.
"Bus operations across the UK have been severely impacted by the pandemic, but there has been a greater impact in Wales than in any other part of the UK. The business has been struck by a change in travel patterns both during and after the Covid pandemic and although the number of people using our services is slowly increasing, it is still much lower than pre-Covid.
"We respect the rights of colleagues to take action, but in order to allow the business to recover from the pandemic, we need to work together, keep the wheels turning and make sure people can go about their daily lives without disruption." You can get more Swansea news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
More than 300 workers will strike
Also confirming the strike would take place, regional co-ordinating officer at Unite trade union, Sarah Davies, said: "Over 320 Unite members at First Cymru depots across South West Wales will be taking industrial action next week. Our members deserve a pay rise that is at least in-line with inflation.
"They worked throughout the pandemic and are determined to see their loyalty and dedication fairly rewarded. Unite stands 100% behind our members. It is not too late for First Cymru to table an acceptable offer and prevent the inevitable disruption that this action will bring."
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