Plymouth bus drivers set to strike over pay dispute

Nearly 600 Plymouth Bus drivers are set to strike and are being balloted over pay.

Unite, the union, said on Wednesday, June 19 that the drivers are demanding pay increases to align their wages with colleagues in other regions.

According to Unite, Go Ahead drivers in Oxford currently earn £2.84 more per hour than those in Plymouth, while drivers in Brighton earn £1.83 more per hour. 

Even with Go Ahead’s proposed 2024 pay offer, the union said that Oxford drivers would still earn £2.24 more per hour, and Brighton drivers £1.23 more.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Plymouth Bus drivers will not be treated as second-class employees by Go Ahead any longer. This is a highly profitable company and can well afford to put forward a better offer. Go Ahead’s Plymouth drivers have their union’s total support.”

The call for industrial action comes in the wake of Go Ahead reporting revenues of £3.2 billion and profits of £89 million in March. 

The ballot for the strike will close on July 1, with potential strike actions that could shut down Plymouth’s bus network starting later next month.

Unite regional officer Dave Smith criticised Go Ahead, saying: “Go Ahead is set on causing chaos to Plymouth’s travelling public because it wants to employ drivers in the city on the cheap. There is still time to avoid industrial action, but that requires Go Ahead to put forward an acceptable offer that considers the large pay disparity between Plymouth and its operations elsewhere.”

Responding to the union’s stance, Richard Stevens, Managing Director for Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus, expressed disappointment at the failed negotiations. 

Mr Stevens highlighted that the company had proposed two above-inflation pay offers, both rejected by Unite members. 

The most recent offer included a 4 per cent increase, doubling the current Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate.

He said: “Had bus drivers in Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus accepted the most recent offer, they would have earned £15.60 per hour, or £32,448 per annum based on a minimum 40 hours per week guarantee in year one. It also guaranteed a £16.00 per hour or CPI + 1 per cent, whichever was higher, from April 2025.”

Mr Stevens also pointed out that the average annual salary in Plymouth is currently £26,820, with the Southwest average at £28,748, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics in May 2024. 

He argued that the company’s offer ensures that drivers' earnings stay ahead of inflation and remain competitive in the Southwest.

He said: “Our bus drivers’ hourly rate we believe continues to be the highest in the Southwest and is the most the company can afford to pay without impacting services. Last year, the drivers received an increase in pay of 11.8%. Sadly, Unite the Union refuses to recognise the reality of the operational and financial situation the company is in, with this demand for an 18.9 per cent pay increase.”

Mr Stevens reiterated the company’s commitment to meaningful negotiations, stating: “We have always been and continue to engage in meaningful negotiations. Sadly, we now must await the strike ballot result, expected soon after July 1, to see if Unite the Union are prepared to engage in a discussion that avoids the pain and disruption of a strike being inflicted on our customers and team members.”

However, Unite have said that: "Unite is not demanding an 18.9 per cent increase in pay as Richard Stevens stated. The workers are asking to be brought up to £16 per hour this year or 6.6 per cent pay rise to bring them more into line with their colleagues elsewhere."