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Bus services across south Wales are set for major disruption as hundreds of workers at First Cymru prepare to launch a two-month continuous strike in an ongoing dispute over pay. Industrial action will begin on November 20 and continue until January 21, marking a significant escalation in the row between the company and its drivers. According to the union Unite, employees are "furious" over current pay rates and the company's alleged refusal to pay back-pay from the anniversary of their pay agreement. First Cymru has said the strikes will be hugely disruptive and that it has been 'committed to improving the pay of drivers' and that its 'above inflation offer' sits alongside investment in staff facilities and conditions, and a range of benefits, including healthcare schemes. Drivers claim they have been left with little choice but to take prolonged action after what they describe as the company's "refusal to negotiate in a reasonable manner". Workers are also angered by what they call the continued withholding of agreed back pay and a £50 "bung payment" the company allegedly offered to encourage staff to cross their own picket line. Drivers are demanding what they describe as a fair and "reasonable rate of pay" that reflects the current cost-of-living and inflation. Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: "First Cymru is trying to take industrial relations back to the dark ages with its refusal to pay monies owed, attempts at union-busting to get staff to cross picket lines and all the while paying some of the lowest wages in the industry. Unite never stands for such behaviour. First needs to think again about how it is treating its workforce." At present, Unite claims First Cymru drivers are paid £13.40 per hour, among the lowest rates in the UK bus sector. Comparatively, Cardiff Bus and Arriva North Wales drivers earn around £15 per hour, Stagecoach South Wales drivers are on £14.44, and Newport Transport pays £14.50. Unite also claims First Cymru is the only major operator to still use a "new starter rate", meaning drivers must work for a year before qualifying for the standard rate of pay. With the Real Living Wage set to rise to £13.45 in April, 2026, the union argues that the company risks falling below that threshold. The dispute affects workers based at depots in Swansea , Port Talbot , Bridgend , Carmarthen , Haverfordwest and Ammanford. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here First Cymru is part of the First Group transport network, which reported more than £200 million in profit last year. Unite points out that the group’s chief executive received over £3 million in pay during the same period. Unite regional officer Alan McCarthy said: "The pressures of the role are clear. Driving a bus is a highly skilled job. Yet drivers for First Cymru are treated like second class citizens and have reached the end of their tether. They are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table for their families. Unite will be backing them every step of the way in this dispute. "The communities of South Wales have been let down by First who see fit to short-change their drivers and will now see the consequences of this as our members take to the picket line." In response, Doug Claringbold, managing director for First Bus in Cymru, said: “We, like our customers, are deeply frustrated that the union has announced two full months of strikes in south and west Wales from November 20 and continuing right through to January 21. "These are unnecessary and, most importantly, they will be hugely disruptive to our customers during the festive period when many hope to use buses to shop, meet friends and family and enjoy Christmas parties. It is within the hands of the union to stop this action. "We have always maintained an open dialogue with the union and while they continue to reject our offers we still hope to find a solution to encourage the union to call off their strikes. "We have been committed to improving the pay of drivers, and alongside our above inflation offer, we continue to invest in staff facilities and conditions, and a range of benefits, including healthcare schemes. "We will continue to keep as many services running as possible, but announcing even more strikes is severely disrupting the public's travel plans and damaging the reputation of bus travel in Wales. "Our revised timetables will be available on our website shortly, and we will review these over the coming weeks to ensure we get as many buses out as possible for our customers. We encourage customers to check our website for more details before travelling."
