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The bus strike in Birmingham and across the region is continuing on a fifth consecutive day today. National Express West Midlands is operating another limited service for passengers. Drivers have been offered a new 16.2 percent pay rise by the bus operator. It is understood Unite the Union has recommended its members accept the deal to end the dispute. READ MORE: Full list of National Express West Midlands services running on day five of strike Its members are voting today and tomorrow. If the deal is accepted it would end the walkout and would mean a return to normal services operating on Monday, March 27. In an update, NX West Midlands said: "There is a ballot taking place to end the strikes which we will have the result of on Saturday 25 March. A positive result would mean a reduced service on Sunday 26 March and a normal service on Monday 27 March." This is a live blog. Follow entries below for updates as they come in today. 09:02Naomi DeSouza Good morning - follow day six of coverage as we await the ballot result. Drivers have a last chance to vote for the 16.2 percent pay rise today, with the result expected soon after that. Follow our coverage today on our blog here. 19:54Nick Horner After five long days and traffic chaos on West Midlands roads, might tomorrow see a resolution to the bus strike saga? The rolling or indefinite strike began on Monday (March 20) this week, when 3,100 National Express drivers 'downed tools' in a dispute over pay. The firm runs 93 percent of the region's bus services. The Unite Union said last week that between 2018 and 2021, average pay at National Express for West Midlands' bus workers fell by 'six percent in real terms' with the 'gap increasing even further in 2022' due to the jump in inflation. it said a bus drivers' salary starts at £11.80 an hour, rising to £14 after three years of service. In contrast, it said workers in London are paid £18 an hour after two years of service, which it said 'more closely reflects the difficulties and pressures that come with the job'. It cited attacks on drivers, abuse, being spat at, 12-hour shifts that aren't paid in full and unsocial hours among the reasons for an inflation-busting pay request. Drivers were offered a 11 percent pay rise, plus a 2.3 percent one-off payment. That was rejected, with an improved offer of 14.3 percent also turned down. A new 16.2 percent pay rise has now been tabled with drivers having until midday on Saturday (March 25) to decide if that is acceptable. If the offer is agreed disruption is expected to continue on Saturday, with a more limited service running on Sunday, with a 'normal' service expected to resume on Monday (March 27) - fully a week after the strike began. 18:00Nick Horner The National Express West Midlands bus strike is set to rumble on to at least Saturday morning, with drivers currently being balloted on whether to accept a 16.2 per cent pay deal. The result of that ballot is not expected until Saturday afternoon, and even if accepted services will be disrupted throughout the weekend. But as we stand the firm has issued a list of services that it says it will be operating, with the caveat - 'subject to change at short notice'. It said: "We will try to operate more depending on driver availability: Service set to run (Saturday March 25) morning: 17:26Nick Horner The bus strike by drivers working for National Express West Midlands has rumbled on through its fifth continuous day, but there's hope the end could be in sight. National Express has said it has made a 'very fair and decent offer' of 16.2 percent in a bid to coax its workers back to the drivers' seats. The drivers are being balloted on the offer, with votes set to be case today and up to midday on Saturday (March 25). So services will be disrupted on Saturday, whatever the result of the ballot and disruption will continue into Sunday (March 26) even if the offer is accepted. But by Monday, if a deal is struck, the region's main bus provider may have its full fleet back up and running. National Express West Midlands has said: "A limited service, primarily serving the region's major hospitals, which may be changed at short notice, is operating. Please do not travel on a National Express bus unless absolutely necessary. National Express coaches are running as normal. "Tickets for travel during the strike period are available to buy via the NX mTicket app and from the driver on services that are currently operating. "There is a ballot taking place to end the strikes which we will have the result of on Saturday, March 25. A positive result would mean a reduced service on Sunday (March 26) and a normal service on Monday (March 27). We'll keep you updated. "During the ballot period bus strikes are set to continue. This means that you should plan alternative travel arrangements for the next few days. Alternative public transport is still running, to find out more please visit the TfWM website." 16:31Nick Horner Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has paid a visit to the West Midlands on Friday and when questioned on the ongoing National Express West Midlands strike which has crippled bus services he said they are 'not right'. While the PM accepted workers' rights to strike in ongoing disputes, he said there should be a 'minimum level of service' so people can 'go about their day to day lives'. On a visit to Dudley's Black Country Living Museum, which runs an internal bus service to ferry visitors from the entrance to the heart of the attraction, Mr Sunak said: "I do think it's not right that strikes can disrupt people's lives to such an extent. People do have the ability to strike but that's got to be balanced with people's ability to go about their day-to-day lives. "That's why as a Government, nationally, we are in the process of legislating to have what are called minimum safety laws or minimum service laws." More on Rishi Sunak's response when quizzed by BirminghamLive on the bus strikes here... 16:11Nick Horner Solidarity among staff in different professions is wearing thin with an NHS worker expressing her frustration at the ongoing strike by drivers. The woman, who asked not to be named, said while she appreciated staff carry out a tough job. given the now 16.2 per cent pay offer it was 'outrageous' for the strike to continue. The NHS staff member said: "I think this is outrageous with the bus strike and now with the 16 percent pay rise it's an absolute joke. Yes, I understand they deal with abuse, fair dodgers and long hours, but what about us NHS staff for what we have to deal with on a daily basis, life and death. "We put our lives on the line everyday, we save people's lives and we only get 5 per cent for what we do. We have to deal with physical and verbal abuse as well. We're under so much pressure but no one seems to care about the NHS which is really sad." 15:28Nick Horner A pensioner with mobility issues has hit out at striking National Express West Midlands bus drivers, saying the services provide him with a lifeline. The furious 86-year-old contacted BirminghamLive and said: "I along with many thousands of similar older people who don't possess cars or mobility scooters and depend absolutely on bus travel. "It's not an option to be without such bus travel. In my angry view, no strike action like this on bus travel should never be allowed. Buses are a fundamental requirement for the population of a large city like this, and denial of it - without specified periods should not be allowed. "People can surely take strike action in a more humane way and not impact old and infirm people's lives like this. I cannot get to my doctor's surgery or bank. I have a parcel to collect, with no means of travel unless paying for a taxi. "This kind of strike action has an impact that is being ignored in a shocking way. A news report I watched referenced the difficulty of schoolchildren getting to school. That is nothing besides how older people's lives are impacted. Such strike action is unacceptable." 15:06Nick Horner As the National Express West Midlands bus strike enters the latter stages of its fifth day, BirminghamLive has been out speaking to frustrated passengers to gauge their reaction to the ongoing dispute. Our reporter headed to West Bromwich bus station to canvass opinion of those that use the buses, and the sympathy with bus staff has waned. Angry passengers were today urging striking drivers to take the 16.2 percent deal, which may lead to services being back to normal by Monday (March 27). One said the ongoing strike was 'unacceptable' while another said they walk 'seven to eight miles' to get to work in the absence of any other means of transport. But another said 'they need to have a pay rise' with the wages they are on'. More reaction here.... 14:05Nick Horner As roads have got more snarled up with traffic as commuters and other traffic are forced from buses into cars, Birmingham's Conservative group has suggested opening up the bus lanes to all traffic. It said: "With traffic backing up due to the increased congestion on the roads during public transport strikes, we're calling on the city council to help Brummies get to work by opening unused bus lanes to general traffic. "We're calling on the council to alleviate congestion by opening bus lanes during strike action." Is that a reasonable request or the wrong way about dealing with the fall out from the bus strike? Let us know in the comments below... With traffic backing up due to the increased congestion on the roads during public transport strikes, we're calling on the City Council to help Brummies get to work by opening unused bus lanes to general traffic. pic.twitter.com/bBnSPxXLvd 13:40Nick Horner National Express West Midlands has confirmed some services from Moor Street Queensway in Birmingham City Centre to Solhull Town Centre and some reverse journeys will not be running on Friday (March 24) afternoon. The bus firm said buses on the number 6 route that were to run at 4pm, 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 7pm from Brum to Solihull and the same service going from Solihull to Birmingham at 2.51pm, 3.13pm, 5.23pm and 6.01pm, with the bus strike ongoing. National Express said: "Apologies for any inconvenience caused." Bus users are hoping the latest offer of a 16.2 per cent pay rise, will be accepted, with news expected on Saturday (March 25). 13:04Ben Perrin Transport for West Midlands said industrial action on National Express West Midlands and National Express Coventry is ongoing with "no current end date" along with a very limited service in operation. It says train, tram and other bus operators including Diamond, Arriva and Stagecoach are operating as normal, but services are likely to be busier than usual. TfWM says that National Express tickets will not be accepted on other operators. If you have purchased a National Express West Midlands ticket that is valid during strikes days and you require a refund, please visit NX Bus West Midlands. If you have a Swift card and would like to claim a refund, check the long card number on the front at the bottom of the card. If this number says '633597 0112…' you can contact National Express Bus for a refund. If the number says '633597 0107…' this means your card has been issued by TfWM and you can claim a refund here. 12:53Ben Perrin West Midlands Mayor Andy Street thinks NX West Midlands latest pay offer will bring the bus strike to an end. But he says there are lessons to be learned about how such widespread disruption to the bus network can be prevented in the future. "An offer has been put to the drivers by National Express. I'm very optimistic in the vote that's going to happen that it will be accepted," he told BirminghamLive. "And we must all hope that this is agreed because the disruption has been serious and it needs to come to an end very quickly." For the full story, please click here. 12:46Ben Perrin Unite members have always been "rock solid in their determination to win a pay rise" ahead of a ballot result tomorrow afternoon. NX West Midlands bus drivers are currently voting on whether or not to accept a 16.2 percent pay rise from the operator. 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." 12:32Ben Perrin Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said service users, families and staff could be all affected by the bus strikes. It said industrial action is set to continue and urged bus passengers to check for NX West Midlands updates. 12:20Ben Perrin West Midlands Roads warned motorists there will be congestion and delays around the NEC due to the bus strikes. It tweeted: "Due to strikes on @nxwestmidlands & @nxcoventry, bus services are still affected - expect busier roads as more people travel by car." 12:04Ben Perrin A taxi passenger told how she plans to boycott Uber after the firm would have charged almost £30 for a two-mile journey when the bus strike is on today. She said that A2B Radio Cars, based in Shirely, covered the journey for a quarter of the cost. When @Uber think they're funny charging £30 for a 2 mile journey because people are desperate when there's a bus strike! Not to worry as @A2BRadioCars did it for 1/4 of that -£7.50 safe to say I'll #boycottUber from now on pic.twitter.com/PHow9joyCM 11:54KEY EVENT One Twitter user says the strike shows how important buses are to serving communities in the West Midlands. They said that "bus drivers should be treated with respect - as society needs them." this bus strike in Birmingham truly shows just how important the buses are to the common people & how dependant they are on buses. the streets even in city centre are SO EMPTY & students are missing schools cause of this. Treat bus drivers with respect, society needs them 11:44Ben Perrin A forensic science student told how she cannot get to the University of Wolverhampton due to the bus strikes. She said that by not attending it might mean she fails a module. Bus strikes mean I can't get to uni today for practical which in turn means I may fail the module. Y a y 11:26KEY EVENT Another person opposed to the strike told how it cannot be justified as it prevents ordinary people from going to their jobs in a cost of living crisis. They told BirminghamLive: "I think that the unions and drivers are being totally selfish. People in much more stressful jobs have not been awarded a 14.3 percent pay rise. "To impact on people's day-to-day lives in such a brutal way is completely unacceptable. "Everyone is suffering in the present economic climate and I don't see how preventing ordinary people from going to their jobs is justified." 11:21Ben Perrin The NX West Midlands bus strike has divided opinion after it continues to cause widespread disruption to passengers. One worker, who earns £10-an-hour, branded the strike "immoral." He said he will need to book an Uber to work, which will cost £25 tomorrow. Good morning @UniteSharon my uber trip to work tomorrow is going to cost £25. I earn £10 per hour. I used to belong to your union but nx Birmingham bus strike is immoral? 11:06Ben Perrin More pictures from the Liverpool Street garage in Digbeth. Drivers have been voting with the first ballot open until 6pm today. 10:48Ben Perrin NX West Midlands said they will not be running these services at the following times: Solihull Town Centre Midday - Moor Street Queensway 12.55pm Moor Street Queensway 1pm - Solihull Town Centre 2.05pm Solihull Town Centre 2.51pm - Moor Street Queensway 3.55pm Moor Street Queensway 4pm - Solihull Town Centre 5.12pm Solihull Town Centre 5.23pm - Moor Street Queensway 6.25pm - service 6 Moor Street Queensway 6.30pm - Solihull Town Centre 7.25pm - service 6 10:24Ben Perrin NX West Midlands said they will not be running the following services today: Solihull Town Centre 14:51 - Moor Street Queensway 15:55 Moor Street Queensway 16:00 - Solihull Town Centre 17:12 Service Update Due to #wmbusstrike, we will not be running the following services today - Solihull Town Centre 14:51 - Moor Street Queensway 15:55 Apologies for any inconvenience caused. 10:10Ben Perrin Posters on a bus show that the Unite the union fully recommends that a pay deal is accepted by its members. Voting is open today and tomorrow. 09:52KEY EVENT The ballot times at the Liverpool Street Garage in Digbeth has been revealed. Details show it started at 4am today and will finish at 6pm. Tomorrow votes can be cast between 4am and midday. 09:36Ben Perrin NX West Midlands bus drivers are currently voting on a new 16.2 percent pay increase deal. At Liverpool Street Garage, in Digbeth, they are casting their votes in a ballot box on board a bus. 09:20Ben Perrin Unite the union has put forward the new and improved pay offer from NX West Midlands to its bus driver members. Speaking about the update yesterday, Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: "National Express put forward an improved pay offer which will be put to our members in a vote over the next two days. "Unite will be making no further comments during the ballot period." 09:11Ben Perrin The latest poll result about the bus strike is in after more than 17,000 votes were cast. Do you support bus strikes in the West Midlands? Yes: 5,293 No: 11,941 08:59KEY EVENT NX West Midlands said an improved 16.2 percent pay offer to their bus drivers is 'very fair and decent.' An NX West Midlands spokesperson said: "This is a very fair and decent offer - among the best pay rises of any sector, anywhere in the country. We encourage all our drivers to accept the offer and get the West Midlands moving again." The spokesperson said they were pleased to have reached an agreement with Unite that is going to be "fully recommended to its members" and will be balloted on Friday and Saturday. 08:50Ben Perrin Over 3,000 bus drivers, who have been on strike all week, will start voting today on whether to end industrial action. For the full story, please click here.Good morning - follow day six of coverage as we await ballot result
Decision day looms on National Express bus drivers' strike
Planned bus services for Saturday morning
National Express bus strike - where we stand
Prime Minister vows to stop disruptive rolling bus strikes
Bus strike is 'absolute joke' says NHS worker
OAP, 86, 'insane' bus strike should 'never be allowed'
'Take the deal and get back to work' - Bus users react to ongoing strike
Congestion buster? Call for bus lanes to be opened up 'to all' during strike
Services cancelled from Birmingham to Solihull (and back)
Advice from Transport for West Midlands on refunds
'Lessons to be learned over bus strike' - Andy Street
Unite members 'rock solid in their determination to win pay rise'
Hospital Trust alert over bus strikes
— BSMHFT NHS Mental Health (@bsmhft) March 24, 2023
Warning about congestion around NEC
— West Midlands Roads (@WMRoads) March 24, 2023
'Uber charging £30 for a two-mile journey'
'Strike shows how important buses are to communities'
Student 'could fail module' due to bus strikes
'Impact on people's day-to-day lives in such a brutal way is completely unacceptable'
Bus passenger brands strike 'immoral'
Drivers voting at Liverpool Street garage
NX services not running
Update to services today
Moor Street Queensway 16:00 - Solihull Town Centre 17:12'Fully recommends accept' - Unite the union
Ballot times mean no result before midday tomorrow
Bus drivers casting their vote - on a bus
Unite put pay offer to members
Do you support bus strikes in the West Midlands?
'Very fair and decent offer' - NX West Midlands
Over 3,000 bus drivers voting on new pay deal
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