Strikes over as drivers win pay increase. Colleagues in Slough also get increase without threat of strike action

 

Drivers at First Bus's Hoeford depot in Hampshire are celebrating a significant pay victory after the company made a new offer following a period of industrial action.

 

Unite members across the south coast had taken part in 32 days of strikes before their employer saw sense and made an improved offer in the face of increasing industrial action.

 

Despite having previously declared any additional pay increase "impossible", First returned to the negotiating table with an improved offer that was accepted by Unite members after a ballot.

 

The new deal sees a revised anniversary date and drivers receive a seven per cent increase in pay. This includes a 5.5 per cent increase in headline pay backdated to August 2024 and an increase in overtime rates. In August 2025 they will get a further 1.5 per cent and a further increase in overtime pay. The pay anniversary has also been shifted to now be annually in February.

 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our members at First Bus should be congratulated on achieving a decent pay increase after prolonged industrial action against an intransigent employer. By staying strong and being willing to take to the picket line they have been victorious and showed the power of their union."

 

First Bus drivers in Slough have received an almost identical offer which has also been accepted, avoiding the need for any industrial action there.

 

Unite regional officer Ian Woodland added: "First Bus has seen sense and come back with an offer that is now acceptable to our members. They've also extended the same pay award to colleagues in Slough.

 

“Drivers do a skilled and stressful job and these were some of the lowest paid in the region so it is right and proper that their hard work is being rewarded by a company making millions. Members should be congratulated for being willing to take to the picket line and staying strong - another victory for Unite."