Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today
Stagecoach drivers based in Blackwood are to go on strike this week over a pay dispute.
Drivers represented by Unite the Union and based out of Cwmbran, Blackwood and Brynmawr depots want a “no strings” pay rise to £10.50 an hour.
Stagecoach South Wales has offered the drivers the increase, but without paid breaks and a reduction in sick pay agreements.
Drivers at Blackwood are currently paid £9.50 an hour, while drivers at Brynmawr are paid £9.25.
There had been hope the strike could be avoided with talks being held last week through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. However, after two rounds of talks, the drivers will be striking.
Confirmed strike dates for Stagecoach bus drivers in Blackwood
Tuesday, October 19, to Saturday, October 23.
Monday October 25.
Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30.
Monday, November 1, to Saturday, November 6.
Monday, November 8 and Tuesday, November 9.
Affected services
Blackwood
Services disrupted: 1A, 5, 9, 12, 14, 21, 26, 52, 56, 151, R1, R2, X15
Schools/college services disrupted: 91, 95, 96, 98, X15, 151
The evening journeys on Service 50 will not run from Newport at 1905, 2005 and 2105. Evening journeys from Bargoed will not run at 2016, 2116 and 2216.
Daytime journeys on Service 56 will not run but the evening journeys will continue to run at 1900, 1930, 2030 from Newport and 2045 and 2145 from Tredegar.
Abergavenny, Blaenavon, Cwmbran, Hereford and Pontypool areas
Services disrupted: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, 46, 47, 83, X3, X24
Schools/college services disrupted: 2, 82, 97, 15, 23, 810, 815, X3
We will be running the following school services 801, 802, 803, 807, STA1, STA2, 820
Abertillery, Brynmawr and Ebbw Vale areas
Services disrupted: 1A, 3, 52, 56, E3, X4, X15, fflecsi Blaenau Gwent and school services
Service X4 will run between Abergavenny and Cardiff but will not serve Bailey Street or Brynmawr bus station and will divert via the A4047 in both directions. The last stop will be at Bryn Farm Estate. Journeys between Brynmawr and Merthyr Tydfil will not run
Schools/college services disrupted: X4
Services across Aberdare, Caerphilly town (except Service 26), Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf are not affected.
Latest information can be found on Stagecoach’s website.
Unite Wales Regional Officer Alan McCarthy said: “Stagecoach have pushed our members into a corner. Not only has the company rejected our pay offer it is also attacking our members sick pay and paid breaks. Unite is regretful for the inconvenience this action will cause to passengers but our members have been left with no option but to strike.
Stagecoach has already agreed pay deals for drivers based at its depots in Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil and engineers at Cwmbran and Blackwood.
The company said passenger levels are “significantly down” compared to before the pandemic and that fares did not cover the day-to-day costs of running services, with Welsh Government support keeping buses on the road.
A Stagecoach South Wales spokesperson said its drivers “deserve a good pay rise” and “no stone was left unturned”.
In a statement the company said: “Our priority has been to try to reach an agreement that delivers a sustainable pay rise for our people right now, recognising their commitment throughout the pandemic. It also ensures the long-term sustainability of the bus network for local communities in what is a very challenging time.”
- Stagecoach drivers in Blackwood to strike after talks fail
- Blackwood’s Stagecoach bus drivers vote for strike action over pay and conditions
Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.
Become a member today