BUS drivers in Gwent currently on strike in a row over pay have announced an escalation of action - with union members to walk out for more than seven weeks.

Unite Wales members working for Stagecoach depts in Blackwood, Brynmawr and Cwmbran have been picketing over a dispute with the company.

And now the union has announced further talks have failed, and continuous period of strike action is now planned between Wednesday, November 17, and Monday, January 10, 2022.

The row centres around a demand by the union for a pay rise to £10.50 an hour - but say Stagecoach has refused to give ground without removing paid breaks and cutting sick pay - claims the company has denied.

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Unite had previously said it would not accept a lower amount than £10.50 per hour, but has now said, in the latest round of negotiations, it had instead offered to accept £10.30 on the table, back paid from April and rising to £10.50 on acceptance.

Unite regional officer Alan McCarthy said that that this would have freed up around £56,000 in order to ensure paid breaks and sick pay are protected.

However, Stagecoach refused the terms, triggering an escalation of industrial action from the striking drivers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite is determined to fight for a better deal for our members at Stagecoach.

"We will not accept workers in South Wales receiving inferior pay to their colleagues in other parts of the UK.

"This dispute will now escalate and Unite will back our members with all of its strength and resources."

But Stagecoach have contested that Unite lowered their demands, or that the transport company will be removing paid breaks and reducing sick leave.

A spokeswoman said: "We remain 100 per cent committed to reaching a negotiated pay agreement, as we have done successfully elsewhere in Wales and as has been achieved for thousands of other Stagecoach employees at depots across the UK.

"We have been flexible throughout our discussions with Unite, significantly improving both the proposed pay rate and associated conditions.

"Our package offers our people an 11 per cent pay increase right now and protects the collective agreements we have on breaks and sick pay.

"In contrast, it is disappointing the union has refused to move an inch in its position and, counter to the spirit of achieving a jointly-brokered solution, has chosen to announce further strike action.

“Our employees deserve a good pay rise and that can only be achieved by constructive engagement by all concerned.

"Strike action will not only impact our customers. It will also hit the pockets of our people, impact the money available to fund improved pay, and damage our ability to protect jobs and services, and bounce back from the pandemic."

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One point of contention is the amount that managing directors at Stagecoach in South Wales have seen their own pay rise compared to drivers, with the union claiming some have seen significant increases.

Mr McCarthy said: "We are bitterly disappointed by the approach of Stagecoach management at today’s ACAS talks.

"Our reasonable proposals to end this dispute were rejected out of hand, by an employer seemingly hell bent on maintaining low pay.

"Drivers have seen their pay increase by less than 75p per hour between 2016 and 2020 whilst the director's annual pay rose from £93,000 to £180,000.

"In the light of this gross hypocrisy our members are more resolute than ever and will not back down in this dispute."