Passengers expressed relief after National Express West Midlands workers backed down from strike action - but some still called for "greedy" drivers to be sacked. Last week, more than 3,000 walked out amid a pay dispute that brought the region to a grinding halt. The "indefinite" campaign has now come to an end after a bumper 16.2 pay rise was agreed. We spoke to passengers in Erdington this morning, March 27, on the first full work day since drivers got back behind the wheel. A spokesperson for the company said services would be returning to "normal". LIVE UPDATES: National Express bus strike live as drivers accept 16.2 percent pay deal and services return One woman, a dog walker, said she had been forced to turn down work as she couldn't get to her clients in Sutton Coldfield during industrial unrest. She slammed the drivers of her X4 service as "greedy" and said she was glad the action was over. She said: "I couldn't do [my job]. It was in Walmley so I couldn't go. It's not life or death but I had to be there. "Most other people are only getting five per cent or six per cent. My husband works in a factory and he's only getting six per cent. "I usually support people if they go on strike. We know about the cost of living going up but everybody is in the same boat." When asked for her message to bus drivers, another passenger urged them to "get back to work". But then she added: "The trouble is the cost-of-living is terrible. It's putting everybody's back out." But one traveller was not supportive. He added: "They should be lucky they have got a
Job. I worked on the buses when I was a youngster. "I was a bus conductor on the No.11 bus route many many years ago when the buses ran regularly and had conductors on the back. "The lot of them ought to be sacked. If they want rises all the time then the cost-of-living is going to keep going up isn't it?" During the first day of the walkout, bus drivers Kasim Saddique and Faisal Hussain explained their reasons for walking out. The pair demanded a "fair wage" from the company and said workers had a "duty" to provide for their families as inflation skyrocketed. Faisal said: "I feel sorry for the general public. People have got to get about and they need buses. This is the last resort. We need a fair living wage." And Kasim added: "At one point in
Coronavirus we were hailed as heroes. Today, if you look around, no-one is even acknowledging us. We put ourselves at risk and our families at risk just to keep this city moving. "We're not asking for much, we're just asking for what is our right. We don't have a social life. We work ridiculously long hours. By the time I get home I don't get to see my daughter as often. It's taking its toll." A spokesperson for National Express West Midlands said: "We are pleased the drivers have voted in favour of accepting the offer. We apologise to our customers and the communities we serve for the significant disruption and inconvenience this has caused over the last few weeks." Get in touch by emailing josh.sandiford@reachplc.com or sign up for an account and comment below. Tell us: Is the Government doing enough to help with the cost of living crisis? SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS: Birmingham daily updates Court and crime Birmingham Live City Life Black Country Politics