Members of the union Unite at First South Yorkshire are planning to stage a one day strike on Saturday 8th August as part of a pay dispute with management. The strike will commence from 23:59 on Friday 7th August and last until 23:59 on Saturday 8th August.
 
Services will return to normal on Sunday 9th August, and bus services run by Arriva, Stagecoach, TM Travel, Veolia and other operators across South Yorkshire will be unaffected by the dispute, and rail and tram services will also run as normal through the county. Services operated by First South Yorkshire on Friday 7th and Sunday 9th August will operate as normal.

Last month Unite rejected an offer by First South Yorkshire of a 2.95% pay increase based on productivity improvements.

Brandon Jones, Deputy MD for First South Yorkshire, said: "I urge the Unite Union to suspend strike action and join us in talks to settle this dispute. We remain open to negotiation but this has to be subject to productivity improvements as First South Yorkshire has no available money to fund a stand alone pay increase, let alone the 28% pay increase claim asked for by the Union. The trade union need to open their eyes, with unemployment in the Yorkshire region increasing by 21% in the last three months and many companies asking for staff to take pay cuts. Further strike action will only inconvenience customers and further increase the risk to our business and staff in South Yorkshire as well as costing drivers in lost pay."
 
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is advising the public to make use of its Traveline service in advance of industrial action by drivers at First South Yorkshire.

David Brown, SYPTE Director General, said: “It is disappointing that the travelling public have to face another day of widespread disruption. We would urge both sides in the dispute to come to the table and attempt to resolve their differences.
 
“Anyone wanting advice on their travel options this coming Saturday, or indeed any other day, can call Traveline on 01709 51 51 51 or they should visit www.travelsouthyorkshire.com where they will be able to find information on all aspects of public transport.”

For further details please visit www.travelsouthyorkshire.com or www.firstmainline.co.uk

Thanks,
Staff at South Yorkshire Transport