Bus strikes back on after Queen’s funeral postponement

First Cymru Buses have confirmed that staff who are members of Unite union will strike on Monday 26 and Friday 30 September.

The strike, over pay and conditions, was originally scheduled to take place on Thursday 15 September, but was postponed due to the period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II.

Bus services served from depots across South West Wales including Swansea, Ammanford, Port Talbot and Haverfordwest will be affected by the strike action.

First Cymru have said an “emergency timetable” will cover the period affected by the industrial action. This will see supervisors, managers and support staff with the necessary qualifications operate some key routes on an amended timetable.

The new seriously restricted timetable will result in far fewer journeys and routes being shortened – with no services at all in Pembrokeshire or Carmarthenshire, apart from a handful of journeys on the 111 route between Swansea and Llanelli.

In a statement, First Cymru Buses said: “We can confirm that our bus driver colleagues are planning strike action on Monday, 26th September 2022 and Friday, 30th September 2022. Although this action is subject to the outcome of a ballot taking place this week.

“We have presented a new pay offer to Unite the Union, their members are balloting this week. If this latest pay offer is rejected by their members, these strikes will likely go ahead. However, if this latest offer is accepted, these strikes should be cancelled. Please keep an eye on our social media channels and website for updates, we will post more information as soon as we are able to.

“If this latest offer is rejected and these strikes do go ahead, all services will be impacted, but we will be operating an ‘emergency timetable’ which will see supervisors, managers, and support staff with the necessary qualifications operate some of our key routes on an amended timetable.”

First Cymru Buses Strike Day Services

• 3A (Swansea – Newton – Limeslade)
• 4 (Singleton Hospital – City Centre – Morriston Hospital)
• 8 (Student Village – Singleton Campus – Bay Campus)
• 12 (Swansea – Townhill – Mayhill)
• 16 (Swansea – Gowerton – Gorseinon – Pontarddulais)
• 20 (Swansea – Killay – Derlwyn)
• 25 (Swansea – Manselton – Blaen-y-Maes)
• 32 (Swansea – Trallwyn – Birchgrove)
• 63 (Bridgend – Porthcawl)
• 70 (Bridgend – Maesteg – Cymmer)
• 72 (Bridgend – Bryncoch – Blaengarw)
• 74 (Bridgend – Ogmore Vale – Nantymoel)
• 83 (Port Talbot – Cwmvon – Pontrhydyfen – Cymmer – Glyncorrwg/Blaengwynfi)
• 87 (Neath – Port Talbot – Margam)
• 111 (Swansea – Gorseinon – Llanelli)
• X1 (Swansea – Port Talbot – Bridgend) 
• X5 (Swansea – Briton Ferry – Neath)

A schedule for the emergency timetable can be found on First Cymru’s website.