STAGECOACH bus drivers from Cwmbran, Blackwood and Brynmawr depots will continue industrial action after a new round of negotiations moderated by Acas failed.

The talks, held on Thursday, October 21, failed after Stagecoach refused to meet the pay demands of the drivers.

Drivers are asking for £10.50 an hour, but the Stagecoach offered £10.30 and retained the cuts to sick pay and paid breaks.

Unite, who are representing the drivers, said that they put the offer to a show of hands vote.

Drivers unanimously rejected the deal.

Nigel Winter, managing director of Stagecoach South Wales said: "Despite making a further improved offer to Unite today which would meet their aspirations half way, Unite seem determined to press ahead with strike action, causing further unnecessary inconvenience to our passengers and communities in South Wales.  

"We know that our employees deserve a good pay rise and today’s improved offer would see us meet their 10.5 per cent increase ​in pay rate expectation within two years, ​and a 12.6 per cent increase in pay in the next 12 months.

"However ​Unite refuse to even take the offer to a workplace vote.

"The pay rise that Unite is demanding would mean cuts to bus services and putting jobs at risk, and is simply is not sustainable ​right now.  

"We’re sorry that Unite are continuing with strike action that will impact our services and do not seem prepared to put an end to the dispute.

"We remain open and available for talks with Unite and ACAS at their convenience in order to settle this dispute and stand by our offer that would give staff a large pay rise with up to £1,000 of back pay." 

Unite say that despite the offer meaning that the pay for drivers will increase to £10.50 eventually, it would take too long.

It would also mean that any future pay negotiations would not be able to take place for a while.

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Speaking about the deal, Unite regional officer Alan McCarthy said: "The cuts to sick pay would be quite severe to new starters at the company.

"Given the level of turnover within the sector at the moment, our members viewed that any gains that they would make would be eroded by the much lower new startup terms in the space of about a year.

"So, in other words they would give a pay rise but the fact that the turnover within the industry is so high means that the majority of staff would actually be on a lower rate of pay within the space of 12 to 18 months."

Stagecoach drivers are currently paid a wage of £9.50 an hour.

The strikes will continue as planned until an agreement can be made.

Stagecoach say that the strikes will not impact will not impact services at Aberdare, Caerphilly, Merthyr and in the Rhondda.