BUS services face major disruption after more than 1,000 drivers voted to strike in a pay dispute with operator First West of England.
Union Unite says the first wave of strikes will be held from September 4 to 8, with more following on September 16 to 19.
It says the strikes will be “extremely disruptive, with cancellations and long delays to services expected”.
The dispute involves staff at First six depots in the region, including Bristol Bus Station and Lawrence Hill, where drivers on East Bristol and South Gloucestershire routes are based. The other depots are at Hengrove, Weston-Super-Mare, Bath and Wells.
Unite says members rejected a two-year deal offering them current drivers an extra £1 an hour from now until March next year, followed by a “miserly” 30p hourly increase from next April.
The union says new starters will be offered a smaller increase – 50p an hour extra until March and a “pitiful” 10p per hour more from next April.
First says the pay offer is “above-inflation” and was made after an “extensive negotiation process”.
The union says the bus operator’s parent company First Group made an operating profit of £204.3 million last year, and increased share dividends by 45%.
‘Profits over people’
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “First Group PLC can clearly afford to pay our members more, but are choosing to put profits over people.
“This dispute is entirely of First Group’s own making and any disruption could be easily avoided.”
Unite regional officer Amy Roberts said: “While the situation will be frustrating for passengers, our members have no choice but to take industrial action to make their voices heard.
“First West of England could still stop this disruption by coming back to the table with a meaningful pay offer.”
‘Significant’ pay rise
First says that since 2021, basic earnings for Bristol drivers have increased by 31%, from just over £24,000 to more than £31,000, and the latest offer raises this to over £33,000, with many drivers earning “significantly more”.
Regional managing director Doug Claringbold said the company was “disappointed” for customers, who will now face “nine days of potentially significant disruption”.
He said: “Our pay offer was significantly above the rate of inflation and amounted to a pay increase of 8% over two years, including 6% this year, which was recommended by the trade union to our Bristol colleagues.
“However, that has been rejected and just over half of our drivers have voted to strike.
“We have been committed to improving the pay of drivers and continue to do so.
“Throughout this extensive negotiation process, we have listened to Unite member feedback and made a number of offers in order to try and settle this dispute, to ensure customers are not affected by strike action.
‘Customers are going to suffer’
“Unfortunately, rather than work with us to find a resolution, Unite has decided to press ahead with strikes in September at a busy time when schools and colleges are returning.
“We have reminded them that it is our customers who are going to suffer.
“We are continuing to work with the trade union to avoid any strikes.”
Customers are being advised to check First’s website and app before travelling on strike days, for updates about disruption.