Doncaster bus strike: More disruption today as drivers step up action
More disruption to Doncaster bus services is expected today as workers stage their latest strike as angry drivers ramp up action with new strikes called.
Further walkouts are planned for April 24, 27 and 29 following a number of earlier strike dates which paraylsed the city’s bus services.
The strikes have been called by drivers calling for pay parity with First workers in Sheffield.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "The situation at First South Yorkshire is an utter disgrace. Bus drivers who do a demanding, important jobs for a profitable company should not be unable to afford life basics.
"It is high time First Bus stopped putting profits over people and paid Doncaster drivers a fair wage. Our members continue to have Unite's full support during this dispute."
One driver said: "I'm constantly stressed about money. It is hard to focus on the road when you are worrying about bills."
Another said: "I've cut back on everything I can. There's nothing left to cut. Equal pay would give us some breathing room."
Another driver said: "I work weekends and unsociable hours, overtime with no extra compensation. My colleagues 20 miles away within the same area of our county earn more than our depot, yet we overlap mileage and run from the same interchange.
"I love the job and have worked here over 10 years, but for the first time I'm genuinely looking for other work, be it with another bus operator or outside of driving buses."
Previous industrial action on 28 and 30 March and April 7, 14, 17 and 20 caused major disruption to bus services in and out of Doncaster city centre and the surrounding areas, with many cancelled or running a limited service.
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Manchester, Midlands & South Yorkshire, said: “We are doing all we can with the resources we have to put buses on the road where possible and keep customers moving during industrial action, and importantly those who rely on us to make essential trips.
“Our latest pay offer includes an immediate seven per cent pay increase, more than double the current inflation rate, backdated to January 2026, and would deliver an overall 18 per cent pay rise by July 2027.
“Because pay negotiations are conducted at different times across our depots, Doncaster and Sheffield drivers have different pay anniversary dates, so their rates are not always aligned, which is a normal part of the pay negotiation cycle across separate locations.
“First Bus has been flexible to union demands and made multiple offers, such that the pay deal now on the table is beyond what many workers are likely to see this year, yet Unite representatives have shown no willingness to move their position. Our door remains open for discussions to find an agreement and avoid any further unnecessary industrial action.”