Last-ditch bid to stop bus strikes
BUS company Stagecoach is asking unions to reconsider driver strikes in South Wales which would see major disruption across the region.
Stagecoach drivers based in Blackwood, Cwmbran and Brynmawr announced they are due to go to strike in October and November in a pay dispute.
Drivers in Blackwood are paid £9.50 an hour, while drivers at Brynmawr are paid £9.25 an hour. Drivers represented by Unite the Union and based out of Cwmbran, Blackwood and Brynmawr depots want a pay rise to £10.50 an hour with no strings attached.
Though Stagecoach offered drivers the increase, it was without paid breaks and a reduction in sick pay agreements.
Earlier this week, the major bus company approached the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) to seek a way of settling the dispute without strike action. A meeting through ACAS is set to go ahead today.
Unite Wales Regional Officer Alan McCarthy said the union will cooperate with the talks but that members were still concerned about the outcome.
He said: “If Stagecoach will agree to increase the pay to the £10.50 per hour rate, without the attacks on paid breaks and sick pay and the introduction of destructive new starter rates, then we feel this can be settled.
“Comments from the company to our representatives, however, indicate that even with ACAS involvement [Stagecoach] won’t increase the offer.
“Given the timing of their eventual agreement to meet with ACAS, on the same day that notice of action was issued, members are concerned that this may be a delay tactic from the company, and that Stagecoach are approaching this with some cynicism.
“We do hope that is incorrect, and an agreement can be reached.”
According to a Stagecoach spokeswoman, the company has offered deals of up to 10.5% covering drivers at Blackwood, Brynmawr and Cwmbran – some of which is linked to productivity improvements – which would increase pay by £43 a week. Under the proposed deal, the rise would be effective from April 2021 and would provide backdated pay of up to £700 per driver.
She said despite the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Stagecoach has already agreed “aboveinflation pay increases” covering drivers and engineers at its bus depot in Merthyr Tydfil, as well as deals for drivers in Caerphilly, and engineers at its bases in both Cwmbran and Blackwood.
The increases have averaged around 5-6%, she said.
Nigel Winter, danaging director of Stagecoach in South Wales, said: “Our staff deserve a good pay rise and that is what we have offered.”
He added: “Our teams have done an amazing job during the pandemic, and we very much appreciate everything they have done.
“But at the same time, we have a commitment to continue to protect jobs and ensure that future bus services in Wales remain sustainable for our customers to continue to use.”
If strike action goes ahead, Stagecoach said it will work hard to operate as many school services as possible as well as the ‘fflecsi’ Blaenau Gwent ondemand bus services.
The proposed strike action would start at 2am on October 19.
Mr McCarthy added: “Stagecoach have pushed our members into a corner.
“Not only has the company rejected our pay offer it is also attacking our members sick pay and paid breaks.
“Unite is regretful for the inconvenience this action will cause to passengers but our members have been left with no option but to strike.
“These pay talks were supposed to be resolved in April this year.
“Our members have now gone a several years with no increase in pay whilst the cost of living has risen considerably. They have had enough!”