Bus drivers have walked out in a 24-hour strike.
A total of 180 First bus staff went out on strike today at 3.30am , according to Unite the Union, over proposed contracts for new drivers.
At least 18 services will be cancelled by the action, which follows seven months of pay and conditions talks between staff and their employer.
There were picket lines at the First bus depot on Old Fieldhouse Lane in Deighton and at Huddersfield Bus Station on Upperhead Row.
Flags bearing the red Unite logo were being waved by two dozen striking workers , while at the bus station leaflets were given out to inform commuters why they had taken the action.
Speaking on behalf of the striking staff, Phil Bown, regional officer for Unite, said: “First has gone back on its word.
“We agreed upon an offer of pay and conditions in July but when it came to signing the agreement in September they reneged on the offer and breached our agreement by setting out new conditions.
“They negatively affected new starters, who under the proposed conditions will get four weeks holiday and eight days leave which is a cut from the five weeks and 10 days.
“The proposed conditions will also negatively affect some drivers who’ve been here a few years.
“We’ve not taken this decision lightly and balloted our members three times but it’s important to show solidarity with new employees.”
See the revised services running today by clicking below (opens in new window)
Colin Smith, a shop steward for the Huddersfield First Bus Unite members, was at the bus station, which was a little quieter than usual.
He said: “We’ve been given no choice but to take this action and are sorry for the impact this strike will have on commuters.
“But people I’ve talked to have said they are behind us and I hope other people will understand why this is happening.”
Inside the bus station reactions to the strike were mixed.
Commuter Carlos Cotreia, said: “If they’re doing it to make their conditions better then of course they should be able to strike but at the same time we are the ones who are suffering.”
Services affected today
Service | Places served | Service provision |
181 | Huddersfield - Wilberlee | Special hourly service |
183 | Huddersfield - Marsden | No service |
184 | Huddersfield - Oldham - Manchester | Normal service |
185 | Huddersfield - Marsden | No service |
186 | Huddersfield - Marsden | No service |
200 | Huddersfield - Old Fieldhouse Lane | No service |
231 | Huddersfield - Wakefield | No First journeys |
232 | Huddersfield - Wakefield | No First journeys |
262 | Huddersfield - Upper Heaton Circular | No First journeys |
301 | Huddersfield - Golcar | No service |
302 | Huddersfield - Golcar | May have a special hourly service |
306 | Huddersfield - Newsome | May have a special hourly service |
307 | Huddersfield - Newsome | May have a special hourly service |
308 | Huddersfield - Honley - Holmfirth | No service |
310 | Huddersfield - Honley Bridge - Holmfirth - Hepworth | Special hourly service Hudds - Holmfirth only |
314 | Huddersfield - Honley Bridge - Holmfirth - Holme | Special hourly service Hudds - Holmfirth only |
316 | Huddersfield - Honley Bridge - Holmfirth - Parkhead | No service |
323 | Huddersfield - Marten Nest | No service |
324 | Huddersfield - Meltham | May have a special hourly service |
327 | Huddersfield - Brackenhall | No service |
328 | Balmoral Avenue - Huddersfield - Bradley | Special hourly service Huddersfield - Bradley No service to/from Balmoral Avenue |
342 | Huddersfield - Almondbury | No service - use 372 |
356 | Huddersfield - Longwood | No service |
358 | Huddersfield - Ashenhurst | Special hourly service |
360 | Huddersfield - Brackenhall | No service |
363 | Huddersfield - Bradford | No service - use X6/X63 |
370 | Rawthorpe - Huddersfield - Salendine - Lindley - Hospital - Huddersfield - Rawthorpe | Special hourly service |
371 | Dalton - Huddersfield - Lindley - Huddersfield - Dalton | No service - use 370/372 |
372 | Almondbury - Huddersfield - Hospital - Lindley | Special hourly service |
373 | Huddersfield - New College | No service - use 370 |
387 | Huddersfield - Beaumont Park | No service |
398/399 | Huddersfield - Storthes Hall | Normal service |
501/503 | Huddersfield - Halifax | Normal service |
537 | Huddersfield - Stainland - Halifax | No service 539 runs as normal Stainland - Halifax |
549 | Huddersfield - Brighouse -Halifax | Normal service |
X6 | Huddersfield - Bradford - Leeds | Normal service |
X11 | Parkhead - Holmfirth - Huddersfield | No service |
X63 | Huddersfield - Bradford | Special hourly service |
Another passenger Smita Ghosh added: “I’m not sure if it’s a good enough reason to go on strike.
“It hasn’t affected me personally but will affect a lot of people.
“However, action like this can be worth it to get better conditions.”