STAGECOACH drivers are going ahead with industrial action after pay dispute talks came to a stalemate.

Drivers from Cwmbran, Brynmawr and Blackwood depots are set to go on strike after their request for raising their wage to £10.50 an hour was rejected.

Unite Wales has been negotiating with Stagecoach about the pay issues, but two rounds of talks moderated by ACAS have been unsuccessful.

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Stagecoach had offered £10.10 an hour, but only with cuts to sick pay and paid breaks.

Unite regional officer, Alan McCarthy, said: "Unite representatives entered into talks with ACAS with optimism that there would be movement from Stagecoach.

"Instead, the message was ‘We think you deserve it, but we don’t want to shoulder the cost’.

"That’s a bitter pill to swallow, as government funding under the BES2 scheme has been covering operating costs for some time now, and continues until July 2022.

"Stagecoach have been benefitting from public funding, but will not pay a decent wage to workers who have delivered their services throughout the pandemic.

"The public and political support for our members has been amazing so far, with many drivers receiving encouragement from passengers.

"Local councilors, MSs and MPs have also offered their support, acknowledging that £10.50 per hour is a very reasonable request for the essential work our members carry out.

"We hope that this support continues as Industrial Action commences, as Stagecoach will undoubtedly try and blame their workers for any disruption."

The dates when the depots will strike :

  • From 2am on Tuesday, October 19, until Monday, October 26.
  • From 2am on Friday, October 29, until Sunday, October 31.
  • From 2am on Monday, November 1, until Wednesday, November 10.
  • From 2am on Friday, November 12, until Saturday, November 13.

Only the Cwmbran, Brynmawr and Blackwood depots will be going on strike.

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