๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ the union said its affiliation will be reduced by ๐ฐ๐ฌ%, or ยฃ๐ง๐ช๐ข,๐ข๐ข๐ข, adding that the actions of ๐๐ข๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ against the ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ต๐ฎ๐บ bin workers will "๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ"!
Has anyone got any good recommendations for a union for retail? I was with gmb some years ago and they were crap. I switched to RBA and they were okay, I mean they at least responded. I left when I lost my job during lockdown. When I tried to get back in, they acted really strange and very red flaggy, not at all like they used to be. No one answered when I phoned but they refused to answer any questions about membership.
I'm with #UniteTheUnion at the moment and they have only ever got back to me once. So I'm wondering what exactly I'm paying them for. That included ignoring reports of physical abuse from my manager.
I've heard usdaw are kinda crap too, are there any good unions here at all?
๐จ FIFTH consecutive vote for industrial action ๐จ
๐ฅ Two week ballot window
๐ฅ 75% turnout
๐ฅ 73% YES to strike action
๐ฅ 81% YES to ASOS
Our members will not tolerate victimisation and wonโt be intimidated.
UCU staff are not the enemy. Itโs beyond time for the GS to talk to us.
Unite against TU Victimisation
#UniteTheUnion doesn't tolerate the victimisation of its reps by employers. Today our members in the North West are showing what solidarity looks like.
It's time @ucu ended the victimisation of Marie, our Health & Safety Officer.
First Cymru bus driversโ 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. Driversโ hourly pay rises to ยฃ14.25 now, with staged increases reaching ยฃ15 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 ยฃ13.45 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 unionโbusting 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.
โThere is power in a unionโ
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the outcome showed the strength of collective action.
โThere 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.โ
Regional officer Alan McCarthy added:
โUnite members at First Cymru have shown the power of collective action, winning this dispute to gain a muchโimproved 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.โ
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 unionโbusting.
While the new deal ends the immediate dispute, Unite says bus workers remain among the lowest paid in the sector โ 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.
#busDriverPay #busFranchising #busStrike #firstCymru #industrialAction #unite #uniteTheUnion
Bus strikes across South West Wales come to an end after deal agreed
The company announced this week that a revised pay offer has been accepted by staff, lifting the threat of further walkouts and restoring certainty for passengers.
Agreement brings relief after months of disruption
Industrial action by Unite members had caused widespread disruption to services in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Llanelli and beyond, with strikes stretching into the autumn and winter.
Several rounds of negotiations saw offers rejected, strikes postponed, and services repeatedly thrown into doubt. At one stage, Unite confirmed action would continue into January, escalating concerns for commuters and local councils.
The breakthrough came after First Cymru tabled an improved offer, which has now been accepted.
First Cymru statement
Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First Bus Cymru, said:
โWe are pleased that the revised offer has been accepted by colleagues and that the threat of further strike action has been lifted. This agreement provides certainty for our teams and our customers, and enables us to move forward together.
โOur priority now is to restore confidence and deliver the reliable, consistent services that our communities depend on every day. We want to thank our customers for their patience during this period of uncertainty, and we look forward to welcoming back anyone who may have been affected by the recent disruption.โ
Looking ahead
The end of the strikes will be welcomed by thousands of passengers who rely on First Cymru buses daily for work, school and essential travel. Local leaders, including Neath Port Talbot Council, had previously voiced concern about the impact of prolonged disruption on communities and businesses.
With the agreement now in place, attention turns to rebuilding trust and ensuring services run smoothly through the busy winter period.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Unite confirms suspension of First Cymru bus strike after improved pay offer
Early breakthrough as improved pay terms paused action and offered hope of a resolution.
Neath Port Talbot Council leader says First Cymru bus strike postponed
Local leadership welcomed a pause, highlighting the impact on commuters and essential travel.
First Cymru bus strikes set to continue into January as dispute escalates
The dispute deepened, with extended action threatening winter reliability across the network.
First Cymru bus strikes confirmed as workers reject latest pay offer
Unite members rejected terms, confirming new strike dates and pushing negotiations to the brink.
First Cymru confirms bus strikes will go ahead after pay offer rejected
Operator response followed the rejection, warning of significant service disruption.
First Cymru bus strikes postponed after new pay offer
A new offer paused planned walkouts and reopened dialogue between the parties.
First bus strike to cause major disruption across South and West Wales
Initial warning set the tone for months of uncertainty across Swansea and neighbouring areas.
#busStrike #busStrikes #featured #firstCymru #industrialAction #llanelli #neathPortTalbot #payDeal #southWestWalesTransport #swansea #uniteTheUnion #uniteUnion
Darren Fower
Silver Arrows
UniteUCU
Editor