STAFF at Reading Buses are set to receive an inflation-matching pay increase this autumn.
The company says it agreed an 8% rise in under a week, and has been praised by a trade union for their approach.
Around 500 people are employed by the firm which runs services across Reading and Wokingham boroughs, including the Purple 17s, the Leopard and Lion routes, and Orange services.
It says the majority of staff are drivers who earn a basic of £33,000 a year, with extra payments for evening, night-time and weekend shifts as well as overtime, but the deal also includes office staff, engineers and cleaners.
And with the unions voting for the deal in the first round of talks, Reading Buses says it can now focus on improvements to routes and ticketing rather than continuing discussions.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses’ chief executive officer, said: “With inflation having been at such high levels, and our employees playing such a significant role in the community both now and during the pandemic, we felt it was right to reflect this as best we can with our annual pay review this year, and propose a deal that couldn’t be refused.
“Bus driving is already a well-paid role that is ideal for people who like working with people. As one of the largest employers in Reading, we regularly have vacancies to fill.
“Our drivers are well known for being a cut-above the rest and we want to keep it that way.”
Unite the Union’s branch secretary Kevin Walters said his members were very happy that Reading Buses acknowledged the issues caused by rising costs and inflation.
“Our members need security of a pay award that at the very least matches current inflation rates,” he said. “By coming to the table with a good offer at the start it has allowed us to get approval from our members in the first round of voting which is exactly how it should be.”
