GMB Drivers and engineers are set for strike action as the new school term gets underway, unless stagecoach address the pay disparity which sees Merthyr staff paid less than their colleagues in neighbouring Porth

Drivers and engineers based at Stagecoach’s Merthyr Tydfil have announced their first strike date (Monday 6th September), the same date as the new school term begins.

The move could see the county borough grind to a halt, as drivers refuse to work on what is traditionally one of the busiest weeks of the year.

The strike has been called after GMB Members voted overwhelmingly for strike action at the company’s Merthyr Tydfil depot.

Staff are simply asking to be paid the same rate as their stagecoach colleagues based at the Porth depot, only 16 miles away, for doing the same job.

Currently they are being paid around a pound an hour less by the company for working in Merthyr Tydfil.

Gareth Morgans, GMB organiser said:  

“Ask yourself; if you were paid a pound an hour less for doing the same job as your colleague, you’d be pretty annoyed wouldn’t you? This situation has gone on for years.

“The strike laws the way they are means that the first date we can take action is in September, so unfortunately thats the way it’s worked out.

“It’s not too late, we’re meeting with Stagecoach on Friday and we’re hopeful they’ll put an offer on the table that will avoid this chaos, but the ball is very much in their court.

“Why is Merthyr treated differently? If it’s good enough for Porth, its good enough for Merthyr, and the rest of the valleys depots.”