STRIKES by bus drivers have been called off after they voted to accept a new pay deal.
Union Unite, which represents the 600 drivers based at First West of England’s Lawrence Hill and Hengrove depots, had announced plans for a two-week strike starting on October 1.
The first five days were suspended so drivers could vote on an improved offer made by the company at the end of September.
They accepted the deal, removing the possibility of strike action resuming next Monday.
Unite says the drivers’ basic hourly rate has gone up from £16 to £17, with a backdated £16.50 rate for hours worked between April and September.
Wages will rise again to £17.40 an hour from next April, and Unite says the overall deal represents an 8.6% pay increase over two years.
A union spokesperson said: “A major source of contention throughout the pay dispute was First West of England not committing to paying drivers’ back pay.
“To address this, workers at the City Line will get £250 non-consolidated back pay and their rest day working has gone up by 50p, to £1.51 per hour.”
Drivers staged four days of strikes in September, with First running reduced services on some routes and halting others altogether.
Services from Bristol to Yate operated as normal.
‘Fantastic new deal’
Unite regional officer Amy Roberts said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this industrial action, as it has led to a fantastic new deal for the bus drivers, who do a very hard job.
“In particular, the issue of back pay had been a problem and Unite is very happy to have resolved this for our members at First West of England.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described the deal as a “fantastic win” for workers, adding: “It is yet more proof that there is power in a union.”
Metro Mayor Helen Godwin, who is responsible for the region’s transport planning, said: “Recent disruption underlined the vital role that bus drivers play in our region.
“I’m delighted to see an agreement between First Bus, the employer, and Unite, the union, that achieves a good deal for drivers and avoids any further disruption for passengers.”