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Bus strikes cancelled as drivers receive new pay offer
Strike action due to affect Bristol’s bus services for two weeks has been fully scrapped after a pay deal was agreed.
The change comes after three days of industrial action in September, during which more than 600 First Bus staff called for fairer wages.
Bus drivers from Lawrence Hill and Hengrove bus depots are set to see an 8.6 per cent increase in their earnings over a two-year period, including backdated pay increases.
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Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham called the news “a fantastic win” for First Bus drivers.
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Backpay had become a major point of contention during negotiations, with drivers claiming they had not been compensated correctly for past shifts.
As part of the deal, workers will also receive £250 of “non-consolidated backpay”, as well as an increase to their rest day rates.
Graham added: “Bus drivers do a difficult, important job for the general public and deserve to be paid appropriately.
“This is a fantastic win for workers at First West of England, who stuck firmly together throughout the industrial action to get the pay offer they deserved.”
Bus drivers in Bristol were on strike for fairer wages – photo: Susie Long
Doug Claringbold, managing director for First Bus in the West of England, said: “We would like to thank our Unite the Union colleagues for the constructive pay talks, which have resulted in an agreement being reached and the cancellation of planned industrial action in Bristol.
“Our services will continue to run as planned, which is great news for customers who rely on us to get to work, school and other important events and appointments.”
Metro mayor of the West of England Combined Authority Helen Godwin seconded this, saying: “Buses are crucial for people getting around the West.
“Recent disruption underlined the vital role that bus drivers play in our region.
“I’m delighted to see an agreement between First Bus, the employer and Unite, the union, that achieves a good deal for drivers and avoids any further disruption for passengers.”
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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