**Cardiff Bus Drivers and Staff Announce Three-Week Strike in Ongoing Pay Dispute**
Hundreds of bus drivers and transport employees working for Cardiff Bus are set to embark on a three-week strike later this month after pay negotiations broke down with the company. The action, led by members of the Unite union, is poised to begin on Sunday, 17 August, and continue until the morning of Sunday, 7 September, threatening significant disruption during one of the city’s liveliest periods.
The timing of the walkout, which is taking place amid a busy line-up of events in Cardiff, including high-profile concerts by Tom Jones, Will Smith, and Basement Jaxx at Cardiff Castle, is expected to put additional strain on the city’s transport network. Cardiff Bus is the principal bus operator for the city and the surrounding regions, such as Barry and Penarth, carrying tens of thousands of passengers each day.
Union representatives state that the dispute is focused on both pay and working conditions. In statements released to the press, Unite highlighted that many employees of Cardiff Bus are “financially struggling,” struggling to keep up with the cost of living. The union further pointed to longstanding concerns over poor break arrangements, alleging that drivers are often unable to take scheduled rests due to tight timetabling—a situation compounded by long walks to suitable break facilities.
A central point of contention is the pay offer recently tabled by management. Cardiff Bus proposed a 5.86% pay rise, but Unite insists that this is insufficient, claiming that driver pay at Cardiff Bus continues to lag behind comparable positions elsewhere in the UK. The union has confirmed that its members have overwhelmingly voted to reject the offer.
Alan McCarthy, regional officer at Unite, emphasised that taking industrial action was not a decision made lightly. “Our members are deeply reluctant to disrupt passengers and visitors to Cardiff. However, the reality of low pay and declining working conditions leaves them little option but to stand together for fair treatment,” he said. Mr McCarthy also questioned why such conditions are tolerated within publicly owned bus companies, calling upon stakeholders across the Welsh transport sector to address these longstanding issues as Wales prepares to introduce franchised bus services in the near future.
Further backing for the workers came from Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, who asserted that Cardiff Bus has continually overlooked low wages. “The staff provide a vital public service and deserve proper compensation. If disruption occurs, the responsibility lies squarely with Cardiff Bus management, whose approach has left workers with no alternative but to act,” she said.
Unite also raised concerns over the health and wellbeing of staff, noting that disrupted rest breaks and strenuous working conditions can result in high stress and fatigue, sometimes leading to sickness absences made worse by what they describe as “unfair sick pay rates”. These broader issues, the union warns, risk sparking a race to the bottom as Wales looks ahead to restructuring the sector through franchising, slated for Royal Assent in early 2026.
Cardiff Bus, which is publicly owned and has positioned itself as a “real living wage employer” for over a decade, voiced disappointment following notice of the strike. A spokesperson commented, “We are open to continued negotiations and have acted transparently throughout the process, with what we consider a substantial 5.86% pay increase on the table. Our terms and conditions are among the best in Wales, reflecting our longstanding commitment to fair pay.”
The company says it remains dedicated to achieving a resolution that will allow uninterrupted service for its many customers and commuters across Cardiff and nearby towns. However, unless a breakthrough is made, the strike threatens to leave the city’s transport users seeking alternative arrangements at a critical time.
This dispute reflects wider tensions in the public transport sector, as workers in various regions push for improved pay and conditions amidst rising living costs and increased societal recognition of the importance of key frontline roles. As negotiations continue, Cardiff residents and visitors alike await updates on the walkout and any potential impacts to the city’s vital bus operations in the weeks ahead.