Union accuses company of ‘refusing to pay monies owed’ – First Cymru says negotiations are ongoing

INDUSTRIAL tensions at First Cymru have intensified as hundreds of bus drivers across South and West Wales prepare for an extended period of strike action in a long-running dispute over pay.

The walkout, due to begin on November 20 and continue until January 21, will affect depots in Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford, covering much of the company’s network across the region.

The union Unite says its members are “furious” that the company has refused to backdate pay from the annual pay review and has instead offered what the union called a “£50 bung payment” to encourage drivers to cross picket lines.

Unite 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.”

According to Unite, First Cymru currently pays £13.40 an hour, compared with £15 at Cardiff Bus, £15 at Arriva North Wales, £14.44 at Stagecoach, and £14.50 at Newport Transport. The union says the company may soon be the only major operator still applying a lower “new starter rate” for the first year of service.

Unite regional officer Alan McCarthy added: “Driving a bus is a highly skilled job, yet First Cymru drivers are treated like second-class citizens. They’ve reached the end of their tether and are struggling to make ends meet. Unite will be backing them every step of the way.”

The union says drivers are seeking a “reasonable” rise that reflects the cost of living and inflation.

Company response

In response to the ongoing dispute, First Cymru said it remains committed to reaching a resolution and has made what it described as a “fair and sustainable” pay offer in line with other transport operators.

A company spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Unite has chosen to escalate strike action rather than continue meaningful discussions. We value our drivers and are keen to reach an agreement that recognises their hard work while ensuring the long-term viability of our services for passengers and communities across South and West Wales.”

Background

First Cymru is part of the First Group, which reported profits exceeding £200 million last year, with its chief executive receiving more than £3 million in pay and bonuses. The company operates bus services across South and West Wales, including key routes connecting Swansea, Carmarthen, and Haverfordwest.

Previous industrial action earlier this year caused widespread disruption across the region, with some routes reduced or cancelled entirely.

The latest announcement marks a significant escalation in what has become one of the longest-running industrial disputes in Wales’ transport sector this year.

A SCHEME for 50 homes in a Pembrokeshire town, which was put on hold temporarily last month, has been refused despite a call for it to remain paused.

In an application recommended for refusal at the October, and now November, meetings of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, South Meadow Homes Ltd sought permission for a development of 50 homes, including a 10 per cent affordable housing contribution, on land north of Gibbas Way, Pembroke.

A report for members said that further financial obligations for the scheme, other than affordable housing units, were sought, comprising of financial obligations to address the shortfall in planned capacity at Henry Tudor School (£41,321.74) and ‘active travel’ improvements (£25,000) respectively.

The financial obligations sought total £66,321.74.

It said that, other than the provision of the affordable housing units, “the applicant has challenged the obligations sought, suggesting that they are not justified and inferring that the development will be unviable if they are to be secured”.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the absence of that obligation and for the need for a full Screening and Appropriate Assessment (AA) in compliance with the Habitats Regulations (2017) in consultation with Natural Resources Wales.

It said, in the absence of this, to grant planning permission would be “unlawful”.

Pembrokeshire County Council recently backed sending a letter to the First Minister, conveying the authority’s “great concern over Natural Resources Wales’ recent river nitrates guidance,” which has “essentially placed a moratorium on certain types of development in Pembrokeshire”.

It says the area which development is required to demonstrate nitrogen neutrality is approximately 75 per cent of the county, including Haverfordwest, Narberth, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock, and amounts to approximately 35 per cent of the council’s future housing land supply.

At the October meeting, members heard the applicants were investigating ways of mitigating the NRW concerns, and “at no time” had they refused the other obligations sought, awaiting an independent valuation of the viability with those conditions.

Members backed the scheme being “paused” while those issues could be addressed, the application returning to the November meeting.

At the November meeting, agent Guy Thomas reiterated there was no refusal to pay a contribution; members hearing the nitrates issue was ongoing.

“All we’re asking is for the opportunity to develop this application on a paused basis,” he said.

He said the cost for providing the affordable units amounted to some £0.75m, adding: “Our grievance is on top of that a late bid has been put in by education and highways, despite assurances it was no longer incumbent.”

He asked: “Why of all the nitrates paused applications have we been singled out for refusal?” he asked, adding: “Work with us to create these 50 new homes; we need you to allow the application to remain paused.”

Moving the recommendation of refusal, Cllr Simon Hancock said the scheme in its current form could not be approved.

Members voted in favour of the recommendation of refusal by 11 votes to one, with one abstention.

THE MOVEMENT to redesign the economy around people and the planet rather than profit will take centre stage at the Wellbeing Economy Festival of Ideas 2025, being held at Swansea Arena on Wednesday, November 12.

Organised by Wellbeing Economy Cymru (WE Cymru) and supported by 4theRegion and partners across Wales, the event will explore what a fair, sustainable and inclusive economy could look like — and how Wales can lead the change.

The free, one-day festival is open to all, from community leaders and entrepreneurs to students and residents keen to help shape Wales’ economic future.

A call for systems change

WE Cymru says Wales stands at a crossroads. With the cost of living, climate change and inequality worsening, organisers argue the current economic model — focused on growth and extraction — is no longer sustainable.

They say Wales already has strong foundations for change, including the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, a thriving social enterprise network, and growing public interest in moving beyond GDP as the main measure of success.

Festival organisers describe the event as “a call to action”, bringing together thinkers, doers and community groups already putting wellbeing principles into practice.

What’s happening on the day

Keynote address from Derek Walker, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

Panel discussions challenging traditional ideas about growth and progress.

Exhibitions showcasing Welsh community enterprises, social businesses and local wealth-building projects.

An interactive Open Space session where attendees set the agenda and collaborate on live ideas.

The event will also feature policymakers, academics, local authorities and grassroots organisations discussing how community wealth-building, circular economy models and social enterprise can support jobs, services and climate goals.

Timely debate

Festival director Dawn Lyle, co-founder of 4theRegion, said: “This event could not be more timely. People are struggling with daily costs while billionaires get tax breaks. We can’t fix inequality or the climate crisis without tackling the systems that create them.”

Sian Jones, chair of WE Cymru, added: “Wales is part of the global Wellbeing Economy Alliance and the Wellbeing Economy Governments Organisation. We have a real opportunity to lead on economic development that genuinely delivers for people and communities.”

Mary Sherwood from the Poverty Insight Lab said: “Economic inequality needs to be challenged if we’re serious about wellbeing. We’re bringing the voices of people on low incomes to this event — those whose experiences must shape real change.”

David Kershaw, MD of Posterity Global, one of the exhibitors, said: “I loved last year’s festival. This year, I’m bringing public procurement to the table — because it’s time we saw spending as investing in our shared future.”

Emma Musgrave, of Purple Shoots, added: “We’re excited to show how enterprise can tackle poverty — taking real, concrete action right now.”

Details

Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025
Venue: Swansea Arena, Swansea
Registration: Free, limited spaces – wellbeingeconomy.cymru