Jessica O'ConnorCardiff Bus workers are set to begin three weeks of continuous strike action later this month, in an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.
More than 450 members of the trade union Unite, including drivers, will withdraw their labour from Sunday 17th August until the morning of Sunday 7th September.
The strike, which affects Cardiff City Transport Services Ltd – better known as Cardiff Bus – will likely cause widespread disruption across the city, particularly during a busy period for summer events.
High-profile music performances at Cardiff Castle, featuring artists such as Tom Jones, Will Smith, and Basement Jaxx, are expected to be among those affected.
The employees involved in the action have rejected the company’s latest pay offer, citing concerns that driver wages remain below industry standards across the rest of the UK.
Cardiff Bus is a publicly owned transport operator, and Unite has raised concerns that its workforce is struggling financially under the current pay structure.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Cardiff Bus has long ignored low rates of pay and our hardworking members have rightfully had enough of the situation.
“These workers provide a vital frontline service and deserve to be compensated fairly.
“Any disruption is the fault of Cardiff Bus and our members there have Unite’s full backing every step of the way in this dispute.”
Alongside pay, the dispute also includes issues related to working conditions. Staff have reported ongoing difficulties in taking proper rest breaks, with scheduling often leading to long walking times to rest facilities and delays affecting their ability to pause between journeys.
Unite says that the lack of adequate support for workers to take scheduled breaks is contributing to fatigue and stress among the workforce.
Sick pay arrangements are also a source of concern. According to the union, current sick pay policies result in significant financial penalties for workers who become unwell, which has further strained morale and wellbeing among staff.
The timing of the strike comes as Wales prepares for a major shift in the public transport sector. A Bill for franchising bus services across Wales is due for Royal Assent in early 2026. Unite has voiced concerns that without safeguards, the transition could lead to inconsistent employment terms and a potential “race to the bottom” on pay and conditions.
The issue of workers transferring between companies under TUPE regulations has already emerged at Cardiff Bus, where 15 staff operating on NHS-affiliated routes are reported to be excluded from local agreements and expected to work longer hours than their colleagues.
Unite regional officer Alan McCarthy said: “Members really do not want to find themselves taking strike action and disrupting their passengers and people visiting Cardiff however the low pay offer and poor conditions have left them with little choice.
“We don’t tolerate this in our publicly owned rail network. Why should we tolerate this in our publicly owned bus companies?
“We urge Cardiff Bus and other key stakeholders across the bus sector to pay attention to what workers are telling them as we approach franchising. Bus workers have been undervalued for far too long.”
A spokesperson from Cardiff Bus said: “We are disappointed to have received notice from Unite the Union of the intent for their members to take part in strike action from 17th August to 7th September 2025 in response to the ongoing dispute.
“We have so far worked in an open and transparent fashion which has culminated in what we believe is a substantial offer of 5.86% to increase rates of pay.
“Cardiff Bus terms and conditions are considered market leading in Wales and we have been a real living wage employer for over 10 years demonstrating our commitment to pay a fair wage to our workforce.
“We are committed to ongoing negotiation with Unite the Union representatives in pursuit of a resolution to this dispute, so we can continue providing the best possible service to our customers.”
