City Bus Drivers Vote To Strike Over Pay

7 days ago
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Chloe AslettYorkshire


Bus services in Doncaster are because of be interrupted after more than 230 chauffeurs voted to take action over pay.


First Bus motorists in the city will go on strike on 28 and 30 March, and 7, 22 and 24 April after turning down an offer which did not give them pay parity with coworkers in Sheffield, the Unite union stated.


Unite basic secretary Sharon Graham stated the business could pay for to pay its drivers in Doncaster the same amount and was "selecting to put earnings over individuals".


Zoe Hands, handling director of First Bus in the area, said the offer of a 7% increase backdated to January 2026 was "among the very best driver pay offers this year".


"We are extremely disappointed and saddened at the choice to proceed with strikes," she stated, including that the company "recognised the strength of feeling" on the problem.


"We remain dedicated to working constructively with Union agents to reach a reasonable and sustainable agreement," Hands said.


"Our door stays open up to continue discussions and prevent unnecessary commercial action."


'Unfair circumstance'


The Unite members involved in the conflict work at the Doncaster Bus Depot on Leger Way, which operates numerous paths affecting the city centre.


The dates encounter the Easter holidays and events at Doncaster Racecourse including the opener of the British flat racing season, the William Hill Lincoln Handicap.


Regional officer Christian Ratcliffe said: "Unite members in Doncaster must not be financially penalised for working a couple of miles down the roadway.


"This unjust scenario can't continue and Unite is demanding First Bus treats its hard-working motorists fairly."


Unite said FirstGroup was "extremely lucrative", with revenues of ₤ 833.6 m for the 6 months to September 2025, and could manage to satisfy the strikers' demands.


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