Bus drivers set for Christmas strike over pay

More than 140 bus drivers and supervisors are set to strike over Christmas in a dispute about pay.

The Unite union said its members at First Bus in Hampshire will take to the picket line to demonstrate their anger at the pay rates on offer.

Workers based at the Hoeford depot, who operate across Gosport, Fareham, Portsmouth and into Southampton, are set to walk out on 19, 21, 24 and 26 December.

First Solent said it is "disappointed" by Unite's decision but will continue to work with the union to try and avoid industrial action.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, claimed staff are being paid just above the minimum wage "for a skilled and high-pressure job" - something she called "utterly unacceptable".

"First Group is making millions of pounds of profit across the UK on public transport yet is treating its workers and the communities they come from in Hampshire with disdain," she said.

According to the union, the company has offered staff a 4% pay deal.

The bus firm had a turnover of nearly £37m across Hampshire & Dorset in 2023, Unite said.

"First Hampshire will now see its services grind to a halt over Christmas as our members head to the picket line," Unite regional officer Ian Woodland said.

"This is a strike of First Group's own making and it needs to urgently come back to the negotiating table with an improved offer our members can accept."

A First Solent spokesperson said: "We are disappointed at Unite's decision to announce potential strike action. This will cause severe disruption to the daily lives of our customers in Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport who rely on the bus to get to work, education and for appointments.

"The management team at First Solent have been working hard to agree a pay settlement and have already made a substantial offer. Discussions with Unite the union continue, and we are focused on trying to avoid any industrial action.

"We would like to apologise to our customers for the disruption the strike action may cause."

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