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Stagecoach drivers based out of Blackwood have voted for strike action – prompting an angry response from the bus operator.

Union Unite claimed scheduled pay talks last year were “abandoned” by Stagecoach South Wales while it focused on running services during the pandemic.

Drivers are currently paid £9.50 an hour Monday to Saturday, but Unite want £10.50 an hour. The union said £10.50 an hour was offered – if drivers gave up paid-for breaks.

Prior to the vote, which took place on September 23, Stagecoach had said a demanded rise of 11% was “completely unrealistic and unaffordable”.

It has criticised the union for “fuelling fantasy pay demands”.

The ballot result of 98% in favour of industrial action was based on a turnout of more than 77% of members based out of the Blackwood, Brynmawr, and Cwmbran depots.

Stagecoach said it had already agreed above-inflation pay increases covering both drivers and engineers at its bus depot in Merthyr Tydfil, as well as deals for drivers in Caerphilly, and engineers at its bases in both Cwmbran and Blackwood. The increases have averaged around 5% to 6%.

The company said it had offered pay deals of of up 10.5% – with some linked to productivity improvements. 

Unite Wales Regional Officer Alan McCarthy said: “This result clearly shows the strength of feeling among our members, not just demanding fair pay, but expressing outrage at the way the employer has attempted to cut terms and conditions in the process. Bus drivers have been undervalued and underpaid for far too long

“We all recognised the crucial role they played during the pandemic, now is the time to pay them what they’re worth.”

Unite Wales Regional Secretary, Peter Hughes added: “Pay rates across this sector remain poor, largely due to dysfunctional deregulation. When we view the importance of the work our members do, these pay levels are simply unacceptable.”

Stagecoach’s response

Nigel Winter, Managing Director of Stagecoach in Wales, said people would be “angry” at the disruption caused by a strike and that services in Wales were already challenged by lower passenger numbers.

He said: “Bus passenger fares are significantly short of what is needed just to even cover the day-to-day costs of running services without government support.

“Despite this, we have worked tirelessly to protect the jobs of our people. We have also done all we reasonably can to hold constructive discussions with Unite and reach a sensible and sustainable pay agreement across our bus depots in Wales. The fact that we have proposed and reached agreement at several depots is a sign of our good faith.

“However, Unite has shown no interest in reaching similar agreements covering bus drivers at our Blackwood, Brynmawr, and Cwmbran depots and instead insists on fuelling fantasy pay demands as part of a wider political agenda.”

Mr Winter added: “Any talk of industrial action by the union is irresponsible and counterproductive when the focus should be on protecting the jobs of our people and the long-term sustainability of bus services for the local community.

“We are committed to offering good packages for our people. We very much remain open to continuing discussions with the union and would urge them to return to talks.”

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that bus drivers in Blackwood are currently paid £10.50 an hour. This is actually the amount drivers want.