Bus driver strike ends with deal to increase pay
STAGECOACH bus service has this week confirmed a pay deal has been agreed by members of the Unite union and employees in Stagecoach South Wales, bringing an end to 17 days of strike action.
The action that began in October saw an estimated 200 drivers at Stagecoach depots in Cwmbran, Brynmawr and Blackwood all walk out in an effort to improve working conditions and increase their hourly rate from £9.50 to £10.50.
The deal which was agreed upon will now see drivers achieve that hourly pay rate increased to £10.50 in line with the union’s aspirations, and was described by union bosses as a “tremendous victory”.
Nigel Winter, managing director for Stagecoach South Wales, said he was pleased an agreement had been reached by both sides this week.
He said: “We’re very proud of our team, who do a fantastic job in delivering vital transport connections for local people.
“We said right from the start that we were committed to getting a settlement to reflect the important role our people play and that also protects the long-term sustainability of the bus network for our customers and communities in South Wales.
“We’re pleased that through flexibility on both sides, and improvements in productivity, we have reached an agreement that achieves these aims through until April 2023 and that will bring an end to any further strike action.”
However, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called it a tremendous victory for members in South Wales, who would not accept poverty pay.
She said: “This is a tremendous victory for our members at Stagecoach South Wales. They been completely united throughout the strike. As result they have achieved what is a breakthrough deal for these workers, of £10.50 an hour.
“Our union is completely focused on driving up pay and conditions in the sector and this deal is an important statement of our intention to deliver upon this. All transport operators in Wales need to recognise that we will not accept poverty pay for our members.”
Regional Officer Alan McCarthy added: “Our members have been inspirational throughout this dispute. Not only have they achieved the £10.50 hourly rate with back pay, they successfully pushed back against cuts to sick pay for some of the longest serving staff.
“This dispute has highlighted the scourge of low pay within the Welsh transport sector. With deregulation coming to an end in Wales we are calling upon the Welsh Government to give us the opportunity to introduce a system of sectoral bargaining. Through this we can end the continuous race to the bottom which has driven down pay rates.
“This dispute has been a shining example of what Unite the union is all about, fighting for jobs, pay and conditions in the workplace. Our members here will remember this victory for a long time, they are determined to remain united going forward into future pay talks.”