Cardiff Bus row after 11 staff refused to work

More than 500 Cardiff Bus workers are set to vote on strike action after 11 employees had their pay stopped for refusing to work in what their union described as dangerous conditions during the summer heatwave. The ballot, organised by Unite, opens on October 14 and closes on November 4. It involves drivers, engineers, cleaners, and other staff at the bus company. Unite claims temperatures inside bus drivers’ cabs reached 40C during the heatwaves, with one driver becoming so unwell they required medical attention. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here The union said workers were expected to continue their shifts despite concerns about the safety of drivers and passengers. Unite is calling for an agreement on a detailed adverse temperature policy to establish when working conditions become unsafe and support reasonable adjustments for staff with protected characteristics. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "For a publicly-owned and run bus company to be treating its workers like this is a disgrace. Demanding drivers continue their shifts in buses where temperatures hit 40 degrees is reckless and puts passengers as well as drivers at risk. " Cardiff Bus needs to see sense and end this dispute. Cardiff Bus could resolve this at a cost of for just over a thousand pounds yet instead is needlessly depriving workers of their wages." In addition Unite regional officer Alan McCarthy said: "Strike action will result in Cardiff grinding to a halt but this is entirely a result of the heavy-handed and vindictive nature of Cardiff Bus' management. "Ultimately this is symptomatic of a wider issue of poor industrial relations by management. The lived experience of reps and members is one of disregard, and senior management unwilling to admit when they’re wrong. This ballot for strike action is a direct result of that." The ballot will determine whether workers take strike action. No proposed strike dates, in the event of a ballot in favour of such action, have been announced. A Cardiff Bus spokesman said: "Unite the Union have notified us of their impending ballot. The conditions experienced during this summer's heatwave were unprecedented and we always work in collaboration with Unite to face challenges together. "Throughout this period Cardiff Bus introduced a range of additional measures to support employees and is immensely proud of the professionalism and dedication shown by colleagues in continuing to serve customers. "The safety and wellbeing of employees and customers remain the company's highest priority and we take all health and safety concerns seriously. While disappointed by the decision to ballot for industrial action we remain committed to engage constructively with Unite."