Unite: First Cymru strike will ‘shut down bus network’ across Wales
Hundreds of drivers, cleaners, engineers, stores workers and administrative staff are set to walk out from depots in Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford between 22–25 October.
The union says its members rejected a 5% pay offer because First Cymru, part of the First Group transport network, refused to backdate the deal in full.
‘Poverty wages’
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“First Group is a hugely profitable company making millions yet it is treating its workers, and the communities they come from in Wales, with utter disdain.
It is simply unacceptable to pay poverty wages, offer a paltry pay rise and then try and withhold back pay. Our members won’t stand for it and they have the full support of their union in this dispute.”
First Group reported profits of more than £200 million last year, with its chief executive paid over £3 million.
‘Anger on the picket line’
Unite regional coordinating officer Alan McCarthy added:
“This strike will shut down the bus network across huge swathes of the country but it is a dispute entirely of First Cymru’s own making. All our members want is to be paid in line with other colleagues at other bus companies and for that pay to be backdated.
First Cymru has messed around in negotiations for long enough and will now see the anger of our members on the picket line.”
Background
Earlier today Swansea Bay News reported that First Cymru staff would take four days of strike action in October, warning of major disruption to services across South and West Wales.
Unite is demanding a pay award of £15 per hour, bringing First Cymru drivers in line with colleagues at Cardiff Bus and Arriva in North Wales.
The company has not yet issued a public response to the union’s latest comments.
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