EditorFirst Cymru bus drivers’ pay win hailed as union victory
Unite has hailed a significant pay win for bus drivers in South West Wales, warning that low pay must still be tackled across the sector.
The union confirmed members at First Cymru have accepted a new offer delivering a 5% increase backdated to 1 April. Drivers’ hourly pay rises to £14.25 now, with staged increases reaching £15 per hour by January 2027.
The deal also covers engineers, admin staff and service personnel. Cleaners will receive a temporary uplift until April 2026, when the Real Living Wage of £13.45 will apply.
Timeline of the First Cymru dispute
October 2025:
Drivers begin strike action over pay, warning of disruption across South West Wales.
November 2025:
Unite accuses First Cymru of union‑busting as stoppages continue. Councils raise concern over impact.
Late November 2025:
New pay offer tabled. Strikes suspended pending ballot of members.
29 November 2025:
Workers accept revised deal. First Cymru confirms strike action is over.
1 December 2025:
Unite hails the agreement as a union victory, warning low pay must still be tackled under franchising.
“There is power in a union”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the outcome showed the strength of collective action.
“There is power in a union and the victory achieved by First Cymru workers in South Wales is a testament to the power of workers coming together and fighting for what they merit.”
Regional officer Alan McCarthy added:
“Unite members at First Cymru have shown the power of collective action, winning this dispute to gain a much‑improved pay award.
However, the fact that they had to take strike action at all should be a real concern for Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government. Steps must be taken to ensure that low pay is eliminated in our Welsh bus sector under the new franchising model.”
Strike action cancelled, but concerns remain
All planned industrial action has now been cancelled following the ballot result.
The dispute saw repeated stoppages across October and November, with drivers warning of festive disruption and Unite accusing the company of union‑busting.
While the new deal ends the immediate dispute, Unite says bus workers remain among the lowest paid in the sector — and has pledged to continue pressing for fairer wages under franchising reforms.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Bus strikes across South West Wales come to an end
First Cymru confirmed last week that industrial action was over after drivers accepted a new pay deal.
First Cymru warns of festive disruption
The company said services would be hit hard as drivers prepared for strike action in December.
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