Bus maintenance staff strike over pay

Workers who maintain First Bus vehicles will strike over pay

Bus passengers in Sheffield could face disruption this week due to strike action by maintenance staff.

Workers responsible for cleaning and fuelling First Bus vehicles will walk out at the Olive Grove depot on Wednesday, as they will not receive a pay rise beyond minimum wage, the Unite union said.

The workers are employed by a third-party company, Bidvest Noonan, which First said it was "actively encouraging" to apply the £12 living wage before contracts are renewed.

Bidvest Noonan has been approached for comment.

Further strikes will take place at the Olive Grove depot on 12, 20, 24 and 30 September.

More are planned for 8, 9,16, 17, 24 and 25 October.

Unite said the strike action would affect operations at the depot and "cause problems" for bus services in Sheffield.

First Bus said there were plans in place to "mitigate any impact" on services during the strike dates, so the risk of disruption to customer journeys would be "minimal".

First announced in April that it had become an accredited real living wage employer, paying all workers at least £12 an hour.

'Poverty wages'

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is appalling that these workers are paid poverty wages when Bidvest rakes in huge profits and First is accredited as a real living wage employer.

"The case for them receiving a proper pay rise is open and shut and Unite will be supporting them 100% during their strike action.”

Unite regional officer Christian Ratcliffe added: “Any disruption caused to the travelling public is entirely the fault of Bidvest Noonan for paying the absolute minimum it can get away with and First Bus for not ensuring these workers are on the real living wage."

Zoe Hands, managing director for First Bus Manchester, Midlands and South Yorkshire said: "We understand Bidvest Noonan workers have balloted in relation to strike action starting from the 4 September.

“First Bus is a real living wage employer and through the accreditation, all third-party workers should receive this rate too at their next contractual renewal."

She said Bidvest Noonan workers were set to receive that rate by November 2026 but First was "actively encouraging an earlier implementation".

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