Weymouth bus drivers celebrate pay win

Bus drivers and mechanics at the First Wessex depot in Weymouth, Dorset have won a significant pay victory which will see an extra 8.2 per cent in pay packets by November 2022.

Unite the union said that about 120 workers would receive an 8.2 per cent uplift for the 2022 pay year, with a first rise of 4.4 per cent in April and a further 3.8 per cent coming in November.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This pay victory at Weymouth is a great win for Unite members, especially as the First Wessex management has a record of holding down workers’ pay.

“Thanks to the hard work of Unite’s reps our members are better off and in a better position to deal with rocketing living costs,” she noted. “This is a union that is determined to fight – and win – better jobs, pay and conditions for our members.”

Unite regional officer Janet Wall added, “Unite will be building on this big step forward to further improve our members’ jobs.  There is a shortage of bus drivers across this region and without a substantial pay uplift drivers would simply leave for other less stressful jobs, so we urge First Wessex to work positively with Unite as we go forward from here.”

Besides Weymouth, First Wessex serves Bridport and Dorchester.

Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and will fight back against any efforts to diminish workers’ living standards.

By Shaun Noble