Bus users can expect chaos this month as First Bus drivers are expected to strike.
Unite The Union confirmed that around 800 Leeds bus drivers will go on strike. The strike is expected to begin from June 18. It comes as staff want to strike over company’s refusal to move pay anniversary date back to normal.
The workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, agreed during the pandemic to change their anniversary pay date to October to assist the company financially. First West Yorkshire has refused to move the date back to April however, meaning workers have been left struggling during the cost-of-living crisis and will not receive a much needed pay increase until October at the earliest.
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "When First West Yorkshire needed its drivers to dig deep for the company, they did. Not only did they put their and their families’ health on the line by continuing to drive First buses, they also agreed to delay getting a pay rise.
"First Group have taken advantage of this sacrifice to keep their drivers’ wages down as inflation has rocketed. Our members are absolutely right to strike at what is essentially a stab in the back by First West Yorkshire and they will receive Unite’s total support."
Bus drivers had one of the highest mortality rates for workers who died from Covid19 during the pandemic. In March, FirstGroup announced that its operating profits for 2023 are expected to be higher than the previously estimated £137.4 million.
In 2022, the group brought in operating profits of £226.8 million. The workers are based out of First West Yorkshire’s two Leeds depots, meaning bus services across the city will be severely affected.Unite regional officer Darren Rushworth said: "First’s profits continue to soar. This dispute can be brought to an end quickly and simply: First West Yorkshire need to return the anniversary date back to April and begin pay talks."
Andrew Cullen, Managing Director of First North & West Yorkshire: "We are disappointed in the decision of UNITE to announce strike action. The current agreement on pay, which was signed by UNITE and its officials, is in place and agreed until October 2023.
"The management team at First North & West Yorkshire have been working hard to find solutions to help our valued drivers during these tough economic times and have made a series of substantial and unconditional offers to satisfy demands. These remain on the table and have yet to be put to our Leeds drivers by the UNITE representatives, therefore the union’s efforts should focus on this and not on industrial action while collective bargaining continues.
"The First North & West Yorkshire team is ready and willing to meet and we encourage Unite to join us so we can finalise a settlement and help our drivers to manage the continuing pressure on the cost of living that everyone is facing as quickly as possible."
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