Stagecoach South Wales has updated passengers on its services after drivers at three of its depots started industrial action today (Tuesday 19 October 2021).
Strikes were held at Cwmbran, Brynmawr and Blackwood in a dispute over pay. The union Unite Wales want a pay increase for drivers to £10.50 per hour. Talks failed after Stagecoach said they could only pay £10.10 along with changes to certain conditions including sick pay and paid breaks. The union and the bus company will resume talks this Thursday.
Strike action is planned for this week up until 1.59am on Sunday 24 October and restarting again at 2am on Monday 25 October. Scroll down this story for the full list of planned dates.
This afternoon a Stagecoach South Wales spokesperson told Cwmbran Life: “Despite strike action by Unite the Union at Stagecoach bus depots at Blackwood, Brynmawr and Cwmbran, a number of our services are continuing to run. Megabus services are operating a near normal service and Service X24 Varteg Hill to Newport and Service 151 Newport to Blackwood are running up to every 30 minutes today. Schools services across Torfaen, 801, 802, 803, 807, STA1, STA2, 820 are also operating to get learners to their place of education.
“It is extremely disappointing that Unite have chosen to continue with strike action as we remain committed to trying to resolve this pay dispute. To date, we have offered an average pay increase of 8.6% across our depots, plus 3% back pay. Despite this above inflation offer in pay which would see existing staff conditions protected and sick pay retained as agreed at other Stagecoach South Wales bus depots, Unite are now demanding a no strings 10.5% increase in pay backdated to April.
“Whilst we are committed to giving our staff a good pay rise, which is rightly deserved, this must be sustainable for our business to ensure the long-term viability of services, bus depots and jobs. The demands being made by Unite continues to be the cause of disruption to our customers, employees, and the local communities that we serve. There is a further meeting planned with Unite and ACAS the mediation service on Thursday (21 October) where we hope that there will be constructive talks towards a settlement.
“We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused by this unnecessary action by Unite and want to reassure customers that we are doing everything possible to try settle this dispute. We urge Unite to stop moving the goal posts and return to talks with a view to wanting to negotiate a deal and to put an end to this dispute for our staff and customers.”
Planned strikes by Stagecoach South Wales drivers
• Starting at 02:00 hours on 19 October 2021 and continuing each day up to 24 October 2021 when the action will end at 01:59 hours
• Starting at 02:00 hours on 25 October 2021 and continuing up to 26 October 2021 when the action will end at 01:59 hours
• Starting at 02:00 hours on 29 October 2021 and continuing each day up to 31 October 2021 when the action will end at 01:59 hours
• Starting at 02:00 hours on 1 November 2021 and continuing each day up to 7 November 2021 when the action will end at 01:59 hours
• Starting at 02:00 hours on 8 November 2021 and continuing each day up to 10 November 2021 when the action will end at 01:59 hours
• Starting at 02:00 hours on 12 November 2021 and continuing up to 13 November 2021 when the action will end at 01:59 hours
