Bus strikes in the South to end as drivers accept pay deal

Strike action which led to major disruption on bus services across south Hampshire since December looks to be coming to an end.

Drivers at First Bus Solent's Hoeford depot near Fareham have agreed to an increase pay deal from their employer.

Issues around pay and conditions had led workers with the Unite union to down tools for 32 days of strike action between December and earlier this month.

Routes in Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham and Southampton were hit with disruption during the action.

The new deal sees a revised anniversary date and drivers receive a 7% increase in pay.

This includes a 5.5% increase in headline pay backdated to August 2024 and an increase in overtime rates.

In August 2025 they will get a further 1.5 per cent and a further increase in overtime pay, while the pay anniversary has also been shifted to now be annually in February.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

"Our members at First Bus should be congratulated on achieving a decent pay increase after prolonged industrial action against an intransigent employer.

"By staying strong and being willing to take to the picket line they have been victorious and showed the power of their union."

Unite regional officer Ian Woodland added:

"First Bus has seen sense and come back with an offer that is now acceptable to our members.

"Drivers do a skilled and stressful job and these were some of the lowest paid in the region so it is right and proper that their hard work is being rewarded by a company making millions.

"Members should be congratulated for being willing to take to the picket line and staying strong."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.