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First Bus strikes escalate over rejected pay deal

Workers based at the Hoeford depot who operate across Gosport, Fareham, Portsmouth and into Southampton will take to the picket line to demonstrate their anger.

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First Bus strikes escalate over rejected pay deal
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More than 140 drivers and supervisors at First Bus in Hampshire are set to take further strike action in February and March after the company allegedly attempted to impose a pay deal that had already been rejected by workers.

Workers based at the Hoeford depot who operate across Gosport, Fareham, Portsmouth and into Southampton will take to the picket line to demonstrate their anger at the pay rates on offer and the disregard shown to them by First Bus management.

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “First Group is making millions of pounds of profit across the UK on public transport yet is treating its workers and the communities they serve in Hampshire with disdain.

“To pay barely above the minimum wage for a skilled and high-pressure job is utterly unacceptable.

“To now attempt to impose a pay deal already rejected by our membership is an act of desperation and cowardice.

“Our members at First have the total support of Unite in their dispute.”

First Group had revenues of nearly £5bn in 2023 across the UK while First Hampshire & Dorset had a turnover of nearly £37m.

The union alleged that staff are being paid barely above the minimum wage for a skilled and stressful job.

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Strikes are due to take place from 25th to 27th February, 3rd to 7th March and 10th to 11th March.

First has offered workers a just over 4% pay deal and, according to the union, refused to reinstate many of the terms and conditions that were removed during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite assurances.

Ian Woodland, regional officer at Unite, said: “Imposing a pay deal against our members wishes is potentially an unlawful act and Unite is currently considering a legal case.

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“Our members are furious they have been treated with contempt by the company.

“The manging director of First South has refused to even enter into negotiations since December. Due to the company’s own actions Unite is escalating industrial action.

“The resulting disruption is directly a result of the First Bus’ actions.

“Unite remain willing to negotiate and invite First Bus to come back to the table with an improved offer.”

Simon Goff, managing director at First Bus South, said: “Our people deserve a pay rise, and they have been waiting since August last year while negotiations have taken place with Unite.

“After many months of negotiations, which first began in May 2024, First Bus and the Trade Union Negotiating Committee were unfortunately unable to reach a mutual agreement.

“This dispute went on for long enough for both colleagues and customers and we fully exhausted the negotiation process. 

“Once the collective pay negotiation process has been exhausted, we are able to implement the pay increase.

“Last weekend, we awarded a 4.8% pay increase to all our drivers.  

“This is part of a pay offer that represents a 35.9% pay increase since 2021, which is significantly ahead of inflation.

“The implementation of this pay deal in no way interferes with our ongoing collective bargaining arrangements with Unite on pay, and we will engage with them again in future negotiations.

“Further strike action has considerable impact on our customers who rely on our services.

“We encourage Unite to call off the industrial action so we can give our people their back pay, and hopefully agree our proposed further 3% pay rise from August 2025.”

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