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Victorious music festival facing
disruption
The Solent area has been warned to expect significant disruption
over the August bank holiday weekend as bus workers employed by
First South take strike action over pay.
The dispute is a result of the company refusing to make a
reasonable cost of living payment to its workers, who are
struggling to make ends meet on low wages. Drivers are paid just
£12 an hour, while the lowest earners at the company receive just
£11.03 an hour. The company has refused to negotiate on the
issue.
The four days of strike action which will involve 185 members of
Unite, the UK’s leading union, will begin at 03:00 on
Friday 25 August and end at 03:00 on Tuesday 29
August.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “First
Group has a bare faced cheek. This is a company awash with money
and yet it refuses to give its workers a decent increase to
offset rampant inflation. Our members who play a vital role
keeping the South coast moving are increasingly unable to make
ends meet.
“Unite is entirely focussed on the jobs, pay and
conditions of its members. The workers at First South will
receive Unite’s unflinching support.”
Strike action will affect bus routes across the entire Solent
area including Portsmouth, Southampton as well as Cosham,
Fareham, Gosport and Paulsgrove. The strike will also coincide
with the Victorious music festival in Southsea.
Bus operator First Group, which owns First South is incredibly
wealthy. Its recent annual report revealed that operating profits
increased by more than £6 million to £226.8 million.
Unite regional officer Ian Woodland said: “Strike
action will inevitably cause severe disruption, but the company
has brought this dispute on itself. Unite has repeatedly tried to
negotiate but the employer has flatly refused to engage with
us.”
