First West of England strikes in Bristol, Bath, Wells and Weston-Super-Mare suspended - Unite

A planned strike this week by 400 drivers in Bristol and surrounding areas has been suspended after management came forward with a new pay offer.

The affected Unite members work for First West of England's Badgerline out of the following depots: Bristol Marlborough Street, Bath, Wells and Weston-Super-Mare.

They were due to walk out for five days from this Thursday (4 September) after previously rejecting an unsatisfactory pay offer from First Bus. However, the first wave of strikes from 4 September to 8 September has been halted so Unite members can be balloted on the new pay offer over the coming days.

Unite regional officer Ken Fish said: "Following an improved offer from the employer, Unite has suspended industrial action due to take place later this week so workers can be balloted on this."

A separate strike due to take place on the same dates by 600 drivers working for First West of England's City Line at Bristol's Lawrence Hill and Hengrove Bus depots has also been suspended to allow workers to vote on a new pay offer.