Stagecoach bus drivers in Cwmbran are on day two of industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Strike action started yesterday morning at 4am and is planned to continue until 1.59am on Sunday 24 October before restarting on Monday 25 October. Further action is due to take place next week and into November unless a deal can be reached between the drivers’ union Unite Wales and the bus company.
Drivers in Brynmawr and Blackwood depots are also on strike.
Talks are due to resume tomorrow but drivers on the picket line today told Cwmbran Life they would be in the same place tomorrow to continue their fight for an increase in pay from £9.50 an hour to £10.50 an hour. Stagecoach has offered £10.10 with some changes to terms and conditions.
VIDEO: Click play to hear Sally Cox talk about day two of the strike
Bus driver Sally said: “I would say that 98% of the public are with us. I do feel very, very sorry for people trying to get to work. But at the end of the day, £9.50 we are on. Our cargo is living. We can’t replace it.”
VIDEO: Click play to hear bus driver Nick Young talk about day two of the strike
Update from Stagecoach on services
We’re very sorry, due to strike action from members of the Unite union, there’ll be disruptions to most services across Blackwood, Brynmawr, Pontypool & Cwmbran today
Services X24 & 151 are running limited services today, see details & timetables here > https://t.co/Chfwe2iJ4I pic.twitter.com/oYfNLbX5QR
— Stagecoach South Wales (@StagecoachWales) October 20, 2021