Stagecoach bus strike: More than 50 south Wales routes affected

Stagecoach Wales bus drivers strike as they fight for a pay increase of £10.50 per hour

School and college bus services across south Wales have been disrupted as bus drivers went on strike.

More than 50 routes linked to the Blackwood, Brynmawr and Cwmbran depots are affected.

Workers' union Unite Wales said around 230 drivers had joined protests following a dispute over pay.

Stagecoach said it was "disappointed" industrial action was continuing, adding it was "committed" to resolving the situation

Further strikes are expected to take place throughout October and November.

Unite Wales said members deserved a "fair pay" wage of £10.50 but that two rounds of talks with conciliation service Acas had failed.

The union claimed Stagecoach proposed cuts to sick pay and paid breaks to achieve a wage of £10.10 per hour.

"Our drivers don't want to take industrial action, particularly in this weather, these are the drivers who have continued to work in a health pandemic."

• Stagecoach bus drivers to strike over pay dispute

• Stagecoach bus staff to strike over pay dispute

Unite regional officer Alan McCarthy said: "Our drivers earn £9.35 and £9.50 an hour. We've asked for £10.50 which the company has described as a "fantasy wage."

"£9.50 an hour is not liveable, it is poverty wages. £10.50 is more than reasonable.

"In England, drivers are being paid more, in Manchester it is £12.66, Chorley and Preston is £11.80 and the south west is around £12.50."

Mr McCarthy added that in England strike action was avoided when Stagecoach, which is the largest bus operator in the UK strike, made an 11th hour offer to unions.

'We are open to further discussions'

Stagecoach said it had offered an average pay increase of 8.6% across its depots, and 3% back-pay.

A spokesman said: "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."

Stagecoach said pay rises needed to be sustainable.

"The demands being made by Unite continues to be the cause of disruption to our customers, employees and the local communities that we serve," it added.

Stagecoach said there was a meeting planned with Unite and dispute resolution service ACAS for Thursday, 21 October.

Blackwood, Brynmawr, Cwmbran and Pontypool bus services affected

Services across Blackwood, Brynmawr, Cwmbran and Pontypool will be disrupted from Tuesday 19th October.

Caerphilly town (except service 26), Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf services are not affected.

Unite Wales said the dates Stagecoach drivers will be on strike are:

• From 02:00 BST on 19 October until 01:59 BST on 24 October

• From 02:00 BST on 25 October until 01:59 BST on 26 October

• From 02:00 BST on 29 October until 01:59 BST on 31 October

• From 02:00 BST on 1 November until 01:59 BST on 7 November

• From 02:00 BST on 8 November until 01:59 BST on 10 November

• From 02:00 BST on 12 November until01:59 BST on 13 November