Greater than 450 workers have been balloted for strike motion over pay and situations
Individuals who use Cardiff Bus companies could also be set to face disruption as employees poll for a strike over pay and situations Greater than 450 Unite members, together with drivers, are participating within the poll.
The employees are employed by Cardiff Metropolis Transport Companies, often known as Cardiff Bus, the principle operator of bus routes in Cardiff and surrounding areas, together with Barry and Penarth.
The poll closes on July 22. If strike motion is accepted, it might start in early August and would mark the primary industrial motion at Cardiff Bus in 10 years.
Staff concerned embody drivers, storage operatives, and engineers. By no means miss a Cardiff story by signing as much as our every day publication right here
Unite mentioned members had rejected the corporate’s newest pay supply, which it claimed left driver wages under ranges in the remainder of the UK.
The union’s normal secretary, Sharon Graham, mentioned: “Our hardworking members deserve higher.
“Cardiff Bus is ignoring low pay charges. Staff should not be left in monetary distress whereas performing a significant frontline service. Unite will again our members on this dispute.”
The dispute additionally entails working situations. Unite has highlighted ongoing timetabling points that it claims forestall employees from taking correct breaks, inflicting fatigue, and lengthy strolling distances to the break services.
Sick pay charges are additionally a degree of competition.
With the Invoice for Franchising bus companies in Wales anticipated to obtain Royal Assent in early 2026, issues have been raised a couple of potential “race to the underside” on pay and situations.
Unite has claimed that franchising might improve transfers of employees between firms below TUPE guidelines, risking the creation of two-tier pay techniques if not correctly managed.
Unite factors to Cardiff Bus itself, the place it claims 15 members engaged on contracted routes affiliated with native NHS hospitals have been excluded from native agreements, dealing with longer hours than their colleagues.
Unite Wales regional officer Alan McCarthy mentioned: “Members in Cardiff Bus have labored tirelessly for this firm, and must be correctly rewarded.
“They need to not discover themselves struggling to make ends meet, be separated from their colleagues in negotiations, fearing a considerable lack of pay in the event that they develop into sick, or face having their relaxation breaks jeopardised as a result of the employer is scuffling with timetables.
“We’re on the verge of franchising in Wales. Staff shouldn’t should pay for it.”
WalesOnline has contacted Cardiff Bus for remark.
