STRIKES by bus drivers have been called off after they voted to accept a new pay deal.
Union Unite, which represents the 600 drivers based at First West of England’s Lawrence Hill and Hengrove depots, announced plans for a two-week strike starting on October 1, having staged four days of strikes in September.
However the first five days were suspended so drivers could vote on an improved offer, made by the company at the end of September.
They accepted the deal, ending the strikes.
Unite says the drivers’ basic hourly rate has gone up from £16 to £17, with a backdated £16.50 rate for hours worked between April and September.
Wages will rise again to £17.40 an hour from next April, and Unite says the overall deal represents an 8.6% pay increase over two years.
A union spokesperson said: “A major source of contention throughout the pay dispute was First West of England not committing to paying drivers’ back pay.
“To address this, workers at the City Line will get £250 non-consolidated back pay and their rest day working has gone up by 50p, to £1.51 per hour.”
During the September strikes First ran reduced services on some routes and suspended others altogether.
The 48x ran hourly and the 49x half-hourly between 7am and 7pm but the 6, 25, 46, 47x, 48, 49 and 50 did not run at all on strike days.
Metrobus services operated as normal.
Unite regional officer Amy Roberts said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this industrial action, as it has led to a fantastic new deal for the bus drivers, who do a very hard job.
“In particular, the issue of back pay had been a problem and Unite is very happy to have resolved this for our members at First West of England.”
First Bus West of England managing director Doug Claringbold said: “We would like to thank our Unite the Union colleagues for the constructive pay talks, which have resulted in an agreement being reached and the cancellation of planned industrial action in Bristol.
“Our services will continue to run as planned, which is great news for customers who rely on us to get to work, school and other important events and appointments.”
Metro Mayor Helen Godwin, who is responsible for the region’s transport planning, said: “Recent disruption underlined the vital role that bus drivers play in our region.
“I’m delighted to see an agreement between First Bus, the employer, and Unite, the union, that achieves a good deal for drivers and avoids any further disruption for passengers.”