BUSES were allegedly prevented from leaving garages in Coventry and Birmingham on Wednesday (March 22) as driver on day three of strike action.
National Express West Midlands said some buses operating as part of its heavily reduced service were blocked by striking drivers at depots.
It comes as the bus company was accused of using ‘bullying’and ‘harassing’ those on the picket line.
More than 3,100 drivers have been on indefinite strike since Monday in a row over pay.
The bus operator has committed to running every bus it possibly can during the strikes and is currently seeking to operate a skeleton service, primarily serving the region’s major hospitals.
Police were called out to the garages.
Unite, the union, accused the bus company of “misusing the police service.”
A National Express West Midlands spokesperson said: “We are grateful to the Police for their support this morning.
“We fully respect the rights of bus drivers to withdraw their labour and picket their workplace, but they should not be blocking buses from departing garages.
“We are in dialogue with the union about our offer of a 14.3 per cent pay increase to our drivers, which, at £16.46 an hour, would take the typical driver to £33,000 a year, and our door remains open for talks.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are rock solid in their determination to win a pay rise that reflects the difficulty of their roles and soaring living costs.
“They know that National Express can absolutely afford to pay it.
“The company’s bully boy tactics to break the strike will only result in worsening the dispute and Unite will make sure National Express is held fully accountable for any intimidation of our members.
“There is only one way to end this: National Express must put forward an offer that is acceptable to our members.”
The union has launched a “harassment hotline” and urged any drivers who feel they are being unfairly treated to call 0808 164 0368.
