Alternative buses in Cornwall as First drivers strike for pay increase

Commuters may experience some travel disruptions today as First Bus workers strike across Cornwall. 

RMT members with First have been protesting at bus depots including Helston, Camborne, Redruth, Penzance, and Falmouth to fight for more pay and better conditions. 

Around 400 workers in Cornwall and Somerset who announced their intentions to take action are said to be furious that many of them are paid just over £11 an hour and that bosses only offered a small up-rate to £12 an hour.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "Our members have no choice but to take strike action following an insulting and paltry pay offer.

"First Group is swimming in money and could easily pay bus workers a decent rise that goes some way to deal with the escalating cost of living crisis.

"The public in Cornwall and Somerset who our members faithfully serve need a service that pays workers properly, so they do not leave the industry, creating chronic bus shortages.

"We are determined to win for our members, and we urge First Group to come to a negotiated settlement with RMT."

Members from the RMT, which stands for Rail Maritime Transport, and who are local to Helston, started protesting this morning at 7am at the Helston Sainsburys depot.

A spokesman for the group said: "We want the protest to be as friendly as possible. 

Kate Lockett (Image: Kate Lockett)

"We are touched by donations we have received so far, including Costa and some Jaffa Cakes." 

During their protest, many of the public have shown their support by beeping their horns as they drive past. 

The RMT met with First on Sunday, but a representative for the union said today: "Unfortunately despite the reps being conciliatory, understanding and flexible in their approach there was a disappointment that the company made no attempt to resolve the issue of the non-payment of back pay.

"The truth is that before the meeting we were told there is no extra money so a decision had already been made, that does not represent meaningful negotiations nor is it entering into the spirit of things.

"The impact that has left members with no alternative but to withdraw their labour on Monday.

"This was a golden opportunity for some real progress to be made and the opportunity has somewhat been lost.

"Our members are seeking a resolution not a revolution." 

There will be three more days of strike action which will take place on October 21, November 4, and November 11.

Due to these strikes taking place, there will be possible travel disruptions for many across Cornwall. 

Simon Goff, Managing Director for First South West said: "Despite emergency talks held on Sunday with RMT, where we encouraged them to call off the strike and use the time instead to negotiate a settlement, RMT has advised us that their members will continue with their planned 24-hour strike action today.

"As such, we regret that the travelling public will be without many Buses of Somerset and Cornwall by Kernow services.  We are very sorry for this and remain disappointed and frustrated that the RMT has deemed that a package worth 17.4% over the next 19 months is insufficient.  This is an offer that meets what the RMT have asked for and does not include any reductions in terms and conditions, changes to roles or redundancies.

"The door is very much open for the RMT to work with us to find a settlement but the longer industrial action goes on, and with customer numbers less than they were pre-Covid, the harder it will be for us to guarantee the long-term viability of bus routes in the South West. Customers should check with our website and social media feeds to find out which of our services will be running today."

In a statement on its website, First Bus said: "We can confirm that 227 RMT members out of our staff of 650 operating buses of Somerset and Cornwall by Kernow routes have voted to take industrial action following recent pay offer discussions.

"Therefore, there is likely to be a very limited service operating this coming Monday 10th October, with no guaranteed journeys. In light of this, we advise that our customers seek alternatives where possible.

"In Cornwall, we expect Truro Park & Ride (PR1 / PR1A) to be the only registered bus services to operate a full timetable. In addition, the following trips are expected to run:

"Land's End Coaster - 0725 Sennen Cove to Mounts Bay Academy & Humphrey Davy School plus the 1510 afternoon return.

"17 - 0737 St Ives to Mounts Bay Academy & Humphry Davy School, plus the 1509 return.

"Many of the private school and college buses we operate will run, and these have been communicated with the relevant council and/or school/college. 

"Unfortunately, no services are guaranteed, and the above is based on expected driver availability. 

"We apologise sincerely to all our customers for the inconvenience this will cause. We are doing everything possible to operate what services we can."

Both Go Cornwall Bus and ATS, which operates around Falmouth, Penryn and Helston, have put out statements to say their buses are still running today. 

Go Cornwall said: "Go Cornwall Bus, Hopley's, Travel Cornwall and OTS are not involved in the industrial action taking place on Monday 10th October 2022 in Cornwall.

"There are alternative plans in place for some bus stations, as below.

"Penzance – Buses use the outside road of the Bus Station remaining on the Public Highway.

"Truro – Services move from the Bus Station to Lemon Quay.

"Newquay – Buses use the outside road of the Bus Station remaining on the Public Highway.

"Camborne – Buses stop outside the Bus Station and exit Union Street via Trelowarren Street."

OTS said: "We are saddened to hear a local bus company operating in our area are anticipating disruption due to industrial action on Monday 10th October.

"THIS IS NOT US.

"All 'red bus' operators in Cornwall including ourselves, Go Cornwall Bus, Hopley's and Travel Cornwall are all unaffected and will be operating a normal service.

"However, please be reminded that we are a family operator with smaller vehicles. We are unfortunately not in a position to accommodate all the displaced passengers likely to be seeking alternative transport, particularly between Falmouth and Penryn and Falmouth and Helston, which are corridors we share with the big blue and green buses.

"Whilst we will always try to welcome everyone on board, please be warned we are likely to be pushed to our limits on Monday 10th. Before you travel, particularly on services 69 and 69A between Penryn and Falmouth, please consider if your journey is really necessary or if you could delay your journey until later in the week.

"Please be patient and allow extra time for your journey. Please show respect to our staff who will, as always and unquestionably, be doing their absolute best to serve the local community."