National Express (NX) bus drivers are set to begin daily strike action on Monday, March 20, wiping out the majority of services and bringing huge disruption and misery for passengers. The unprecedented industrial action will continue every day until union leaders and drivers get a deal they are satisfied with. It means commuters, shoppers, people needing to get to schools or doctors' appointments and needing to travel around the region for other reasons won't be able to get the bus and will have to make other plans. Discussions are likely to continue over the weekend between the bus operator, which runs 93% of the West Midlands bus network, and the Unite union but as things stand, the strikes are on. NX will run a heavily-reduced service, with most buses running being on hospital routes. Services that do run will be less frequent and won't run as late as usual. READ MORE: Bus strike chaos and uncertainty for commuters and shoppers loom amid daily action And the prospect of most bus services disappearing from our roads has proved a hot topic, and a divisive issue. Some people believe bus drivers are paid enough and should not be going on strike, bringing disruption to the lives of thousands. But others argue they have the right to make their voices heard and ask for more money. NX said its latest offer would see the majority of drivers earn more than £30,000. One BirminghamLive reader didn't hold back, stating: "If you don’t want the
Job then step aside and let someone else do it. Should all be fired." But another said: "The bus drivers have never ever been on strike, but yet they are working for peanuts, even cleaners get more than what they are paid. So stop criticising, NX bus as have more than enough money they could easily pay to the drivers, but greed is a dangerous thing for these big wigs. At the moment their wages are a joke. "For all those who are criticising find out your facts first before you jump to conclusions." Another reader said they did not support the strikes, posting: "I am getting one pound per hour rise in April, how much are the drivers getting and when they get it are we going to get a decent service instead of what we get now - late buses or worse no buses?" Someone else said: "Bus drivers do not work for peanuts. They need to stop their whining and whinging." Another added: "Drivers are currently on around £27k, which is the national average wage - so it isn't 'peanuts'. "Just because a company is making moderate profits does not mean it should all be ploughed into workers' wages." One reader added: "Drivers, strike if you will but don't expect public sympathy/support as many bus users rely on buses to get to work/shops/hospital appointments etc and will be forced to either walk or get taxis." But there was some support from drivers from another commenter, who said: "Unite are a very pushy union….I wonder just how much of this nonsense is for their own benefit?" READ NEXT Judge's brutal put down for 'thug' who broke man's jaw leaving him unable to eat Fury over £430,000 bike lane ripped up in Birmingham after just two years Owner of West Midlands
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