Bristol Bus Drivers Announce Two More Weeks of Strikes

Bus drivers in Bristol have announced another round of strike action after fresh talks to resolve their ongoing pay dispute broke down.

Around 600 drivers employed by First West of England recently completed a four-day walkout, which ended on Friday 19 September. The strike caused widespread disruption across the city, with many services cancelled or running with severe delays. Now, drivers have voted to stage a much longer strike, lasting from 1–14 October, after negotiations between the company and the union Unite failed once again.

The union argues that drivers are struggling with the rising cost of living, with many spending half their wages on rent and unable to save money, while First Bus continues to report healthy profits. Unite pointed out that the company made an operating profit of £204.3 million, yet drivers feel left behind.

Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said:
“First Bus is a very profitable firm, but its hard-working workers are struggling to pay the bills. The situation is deplorable and it is little wonder drivers have voted to take further industrial action. Our members deserve pay that reflects the vital work they do for their communities.”

The union has also accused First Bus of refusing to engage properly with Unite representatives and rejecting the assistance of Acas, the government’s conciliation service, which is often called in to help resolve disputes.

First West of England, however, insists it has tried to reach an agreement and described the planned action as “unnecessary.” The company said its most recent offer has been accepted by drivers in other parts of the region, but Unite members in Bristol have rejected it.

Doug Claringbold, managing director of First West of England, said:
“These strikes are unnecessary and, most importantly, hugely disruptive to our customers. It is within the hands of the union to stop this action. We have always maintained an open dialogue with Unite and while they continue to reject our full and final offer, we still hope to find a solution.

“I was pleased that during the first day of strikes this week we kept around 60% of services in and around Bristol running, but if drivers extend their action for two weeks it will inevitably cause much greater disruption.”

The announcement of another 14 days of strikes has raised concerns for passengers who rely heavily on bus services, particularly in Bristol where public transport is already under pressure. Many commuters, students, and families have faced difficulties getting to work, school, and appointments during the recent strike. Unite has warned that the length and scale of the upcoming action will mean even more severe disruption, with cancellations and delays expected to be widespread.

Community leaders have expressed frustration at the deadlock, urging both sides to return to the negotiating table. They point out that while the union is fighting for fair pay, the travelling public is bearing the brunt of the dispute. Some residents have turned to alternative transport options, but many have no choice but to wait longer for reduced services.

The row highlights broader national concerns about pay and conditions for transport workers, who have been at the frontline of essential services throughout the pandemic. Unite argues that without fair wages, recruitment and retention of bus drivers will remain a serious challenge, ultimately affecting the reliability of services long term.

For now, the message is clear: unless a deal is reached quickly, Bristol faces two more weeks of travel disruption in October. Both First West of England and Unite say they remain open to further discussions, but with neither side backing down, passengers may once again find themselves caught in the middle of a bitter industrial dispute.

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