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Bus strikes in Bristol partially called off
Planned bus strikes in Bristol that were set to disrupt dozens of routes across the city have been partially suspended.
Hundreds of bus drivers were due to join the picket line for two weeks from Wednesday over an ongoing dispute about pay.
But now, after drivers were offered a new pay deal, strikes on the first six days of this period are no longer going ahead, with the remaining action subject to the outcome of a ballot.
It comes after drivers rejected an “unsatisfactory” pay offer earlier in September that at the time First Bus described as “full and final”.
Earlier in September, a wave of strikes over four days saw more than 600 drivers at Hengrove and Lawrence Hill depots take industrial action, with three-quarters of the services from the two depots cancelled.
Bus drivers in Bristol were on strike for four days earlier in September – photo: Martin Booth
In a statement, First Bus managing director for the West of England, Doug Claringbold, said: “We welcome today’s announcement from Unite the Union that planned strike action in Bristol has been suspended while union members are balloted on our offer.
“The action has been suspended up to and including October 5, with any action after that date being subject to the outcome of the ballot next week.
“We recognise the frustration and inconvenience that strikes cause our customers and we want to avoid further action.
“We continue to urge the union to work with us to deliver a resolution acceptable to all parties.”
Hundreds of bus drivers were due begin a second wave of strike action over a row over pay – photo: Martin Booth
Unite said its members were spending half of their wages on rent and had not been able to save money at the same time First had made an operating profit of £204.3m.
“First Bus is a very profitable firm, but its hard-working workers are struggling to pay the bills,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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