Bus strikes: Full list of more than 50 First Bus services affected in Leeds from Sunday
First Bus drivers of the West Yorkshire branch have announced that they will take regular industrial action over the company’s denial of returning the date of new pay rises from October back to April.
The drivers who are members of Unite, a campaigning union that fights for employees in the workplace, agreed during the pandemic to change their anniversary pay date to October to help the company financially.
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Hide AdAccording to Unite, this move means that workers have been left struggling during the cost of living crisis and will not receive a pay increase until October at the earliest.
The indefinite strikes are set to begin on Sunday.
Now, First Bus has released a list of every affected service.
The list is as follows:
Services affected: 1, 1B, N1, 2, 3. 3A, 4, 4F, 5, 5A, 6, 8, 7, 7A, 7S, 9A, 11A, 12, 13, 13A, 14, 15, 16, 16A, 19, 19A, 27, 28, 33, 34, 38, 39, 40, 42, 46, 47, 47A, 49, 50, 50A, 51, 52, 55, 55C, 56, 62, 64, 65, 74, 75, 86, 91, PR1, PR2, PR3, X84 and Flexi Bus
All other bus operator’s services will operate as normal in Leeds including:
A&A Coach Travel 30
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Hide AdArriva Yorkshire 21, 22, 110, 118, 140, 140A, 141, 163, 164, 168, 174, 175, 200, 201, 202, 203, 229, 254, 255,425, 444, 446
Connexions Buses 11, 64, 781, 940, 963
First (Bradford) 72, X6, X11
First (Calderdale) 508
Flyer A1, A2 & A3
Harrogate Bus Company 7, 36, X98 & X99
Keighley Bus Company 60, 940
Station Coaches 116, 213
Square Peg 9, 31, 31, 32, 80, 81, 966
TLC Travel 205, 653
Yorkshire Coastliner 840, 843
York Pullman
Dales Bus
Yorkshire Buses 9, 29, 29A, 61, 61A
What if you use an MCard?
"We are sorry if the current planned industrial action by Unite members at First Leeds is affecting MCard customers. We are in regular dialogue with First and are encouraging them to establish a resolution to the industrial action as soon as possible.
“Under our normal terms and conditions, customers who have unused or part used monthly tickets may be eligible to claim a refund or part refund.
“Please visit a Bus Station Travel Centre or call MetroLine on 0113 2457676 for tickets purchased via the MCard Mobile App. Visit m-card.co.uk for more information.”
What did FirstBus say?
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Hide AdAndrew Cullen, Managing Director of First North & West Yorkshire, said: “We are disappointed in the decision of UNITE to announce strike action. The current agreement on pay, which was signed by UNITE and its officials, is in place and agreed until October 2023.
“The management team at First North & West Yorkshire have been working hard to find solutions to help our valued drivers during these tough economic times and have made a series of substantial and unconditional offers to satisfy demands. These remain on the table and have yet to be put to our Leeds drivers by the UNITE representatives, therefore the union’s efforts should focus on this and not on industrial action while collective bargaining continues.
“The First North & West Yorkshire team is ready and willing to meet and we encourage Unite to join us so we can finalise a settlement and help our drivers to manage the continuing pressure on the cost of living that everyone is facing as quickly as possible.”