DRIVERS at Cardiff Bus have announced they will go on strike during September and October after rejecting a five per cent pay increase.

The announcement follows 10 months of discussions between Cardiff Bus management and the union Unite and its members.

Unite has confirmed that drivers will take part in a series of 24 hour stoppages commencing just after midnight on September 2, September 5, September 23 and October 11.

Three 48 hour stoppage commencing just after midnight on September 19, October 1 and October 17 are also planned.

The news follows a ballot, where Unite members rejected a pay offer of three per cent this year, backdated to April, followed by a two per cent increase in 2016.

Managing director of Cardiff Bus, Cynthia Ogbonna, said: “We have already expressed our disappointment that some of our employees don’t think a five per cent pay rise is enough. We believe we have made an excellent offer, which was accepted by our Unison members in July, but Unite have held out for more money, which we simply don’t have.

“We’re still committed to getting a resolution on this as quickly as possible and will continue to keep the door open in the hope that a resolution can be achieved.

“In the meantime, we are working extremely hard to make sure that our customers will still have a bus service, even on days when strike action takes place.”

Cardiff Bus passengers are advised to check Cardiff Bus’ website, Facebook page and Twitter account, which will updated regularly with details as the situation progresses. If you would like to speak to someone at Cardiff Bus, please call 02920 666444.