Passengers across south and west Wales face weeks of disruption after drivers rejected the company’s latest pay offer. The union says members are determined to secure a fair settlement, while First Bus has warned the extended action will cause major disruption during the festive season.
Unite confirms escalation
In a statement posted on Facebook, Unite said:
“First Cymru workers have decided to significantly escalate their dispute with their employer over their rate of pay and back pay. Further strike action will commence on the 20th of November and will continue until January 21st 2026. Our members do not want to inconvenience the general public over Christmas, but First can fix this with a fair pay offer.”
The union has already staged walkouts since late October, with services across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire heavily affected.
First Bus response
Doug Claringbold, Managing Director for First Bus in Cymru, said:
“We, like our customers, are deeply frustrated that the union has announced two full months of strikes in south and west Wales from November 20 and continuing right through to January 21. These are unnecessary and, most importantly, they will be hugely disruptive to our customers during the festive period when many hope to use buses to shop, meet friends and family and enjoy Christmas parties. It is within the hands of the union to stop this action.
“We have always maintained an open dialogue with the union and while they continue to reject our offers we still hope to find a solution to encourage the union to call off their strikes.
“We have been committed to improving the pay of drivers, and alongside our above inflation offer, we continue to invest in staff facilities and conditions, and a range of benefits, including healthcare schemes.
“We will continue to keep as many services running as possible, but announcing even more strikes is severely disrupting the public’s travel plans and damaging the reputation of bus travel in Wales.
“Our revised timetables will be available on our website shortly, and we will review these over the coming weeks to ensure we get as many buses out as possible for our customers. We encourage customers to check our website for more details before travelling.”
What it means for you
The extended strike action means bus services across south and west Wales will remain severely disrupted throughout November, December and into January. Passengers are advised to check revised timetables on the First Cymru website before travelling and to expect reduced services during the festive period.
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I don’t see TFW franchising out to a company that has a virtual monopoly of routes in Wales, which could result in a similar issue as to what is happening now.
How much do you want to be paid to sit in your cozy “corner office” with Flexi time and free bus travel for your whole family?
Get back to work!
Why don’t th bus drivers continue to take passengers however refuse fares thus still damageyn First Buses revenue whilst not affecting passengers who are unable to have an effect upon any outcome.
If it’s so good,why don’t you try doing the job, for little over the minimum wage.Get the facts first beforeengaging your brain.
I am relying on buses to see my extremely ill husband in Withybush. I appreciate that drivers are asking for fair pay in relation to the job, however please also consider relatives who cannot drive and are unable to see their loved ones.
A bus service solely to the hospital during strike action would prevent the extreme stress I have been through.
Thank you
Do TFW and the drivers actually think about the public ? NO I saw a guy on Friday asking about buses to Morriston Hospital and was told he couldn’t get one to make his appointment not only was he tamping but he had to get a taxi there and back to make it. who are the real losers in all of this ? Us Joe Public that’s who the drivers are swanning around the city centre laughing and joking they think it’s funny it’s hugely frustrating for elderly people and certain others who need to get to appointments and work 😡
We are guilty until proven innocent in our job.One has to defend themselves all the time and be extremely careful in what one say’s.
Do you honestly think we want to strike and cause disruption to the public.(No)
Being abused,spat on,called all the names under the sun.Idiotic drivers which curse you, do I have to carry on.
Maybe drivers need to learn how handle certain situations and diffuse not escalate it by coming across rude. The way the drivers are behaving is beyond a joke very childish. You chose the job if you don’t like the rate of pay leave it’s that simple instead of leaving the public of which you you don’t want to cause disruption to stranded or stressing about getting to places of importance to them like work, hospital and schools. Eventually the strikes action will lose the backing of the public because of how the drivers are behaving during the strikes…
And some of us rely on the buses to get to work for a minimum wage job and while the strike is on we cannot work without that transport