Workers from the depot at Hoeford, which operates across Gosport, Fareham, Portsmouth and Southampton, are set to proceed with planned action on December 19, 21 and 24.
Trade union Unite says that staff are being paid barely above the minimum wage and that First Bus offered workers only a four per cent pay increase during negotiations.
They also say that First has not reinstated many terms and conditions removed during the coronavirus pandemic.
But First Bus said that in a final attempt to prevent strikes, the bus operator met with Unite on December 16 and 17 to offer a 7.8% pay rise, which represented a 35.9% increase since 2021.
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Unite recommended that member reject the offer, which First Bus say was ‘in direct contrast to what they told us in negotiations.’
Union members have therefore decided to proceed with planned strikes.
A Solent from First Bus spokesperson, said: “We have reminded them of the timing of the strikes and that ultimately, it is our customers who are going to suffer unnecessarily over the festive period.
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“We would like to sincerely apologise for the disruption this unnecessary action will cause. We know people will have essential appointments and will want to visit family and so we will do all we can using staff from other areas to keep as many services running as possible.”
Strikes will take place on December 19, 21 and 24 though Boxing Day services on December 26 are currently set to run as advertised.
First Bus did warn that all services may be subject to change at short notice and that all passengers should check before travelling.
Routes affected by First Bus workers’ industrial action
- First Bus expects routes 2, 7, 8, 22, Hoverbus (H1), the Portsmouth Park & Ride (PR1) and Portsmouth University U1 and U2 service to operate as normal.
- School and College services PC1, PC2, RED, SD4, SD5 and SD7 are expected to operate as normal.
- A reduced and limited service is planned to operate on routes 3, 5, E1 and E2.
- Route 3 will operate between Fareham and Cosham Health Centre only every 20 minutes between approx. 7am and 6pm. First Bus advises passengers travelling to/from Portsmouth to use services 7 and 8 and change at Cosham.
- Routes E1 and E2 will each operate half hourly between approx. 7am and 6pm, with a combined 15-minute frequency between Fareham and Fort Brockhurst.
