More than 250 Stagecoach West drivers are being balloted for strike action over inadequate pay offers, Unite, the UK’s leading union, have revealed.
The drivers are based at four depots across Gloucestershire with each depot negotiating pay separately.
The pay deals put forward by Stagecoach for each depot exclude backpay and have been offered on the condition that Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday rates are abolished.
The offers would still leave the workers being paid less than drivers at other Gloucestershire bus operators, which not only pay higher regular rates but have enhanced weekend and bank holiday rates as well.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Stagecoach West is attempting to give with one hand and take with the other with driver pay. Unite does not tolerate attacks on our members’ jobs, pay or conditions – Stagecoach can afford to put forward fair offers for its Gloucestershire drivers and this is what needs to happen.”
Stagecoach’s profits increased by 16 per cent to £97.3 million for the year ending April 2024.
The ballot for strike action opens today (17 December) and closes on 9 January. Strike action would impact services operating out of the company’s depots in Cheltenham, Coleway, Gloucester and Stroud.
Unite regional officer Amy Roberts said: “Stagecoach needs to put forward acceptable offers to prevent strike action. If that does not happen it will be entirely responsible for any disruption caused to services across Gloucestershire during the winter months.”
