First week of strikes called off
Industrial action was due to begin on Tuesday 22 October, with three waves of weekly strikes planned across south and west Wales.
However, Unite the Union confirmed that the first week of strikes (22–25 October) has now been called off to allow members to vote on the revised offer.
Strike dates scheduled for 30 October–2 November and 5–8 November remain in place and will go ahead if the offer is rejected.
Union statement
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.”
Pay dispute continues
Drivers are seeking a pay rise to £15 per hour, which Unite says would bring them in line with colleagues at other Welsh bus companies.
The dispute has already caused concern for passengers across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, with services facing disruption if the later strike dates go ahead.
