Following the failure of talks between Unite and Stagecoach the industrial action undertaken by drivers across depots in South Wales will now escalate further. Unite is calling for £10.50 per hour wage for its members, something that has already been approved by Stagecoach at their operations in other parts of the UK.
The 10 days of strike action that have taken place at depots in Blackwood, Brynmawr and Cwmbran will now be followed by continuous strike action from November 17th 2021 until January 10th 2022.
South Yorkshire bus passengers face serious disruption this autumn and winter if Stagecoach bus drivers and depot workers vote for strike action over a pay dispute, Unite said today (Thursday 21 October).
Unite, the UK’s leading union, said Stagecoach, which operates as the Yorkshire Traction Company in South Yorkshire, is refusing to offer the more than 560 workers at depots in Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham a reasonable pay rise.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Bosses at Stagecoach's Yorkshire Traction Company should know that Unite is ready for a relentless campaign if our South Yorkshire members vote for strike action.
The more than 50 Unite members, employed by the Yorkshire Traction Company, part of the Stagecoach group, and based at the Stonegravels depot will take 13 days of strike action between October 18 and December 14, as well as from December 20 to January 8.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Low pay is the scourge of the bus industry right across this country. Stagecoach made profits touching £60m last year and has £875m in the bank. Yet it cannot make a decent inflation-busting offer to its staff.
“Unite will be relentless in its campaign to ensure that our members at Stagecoach receive a fair pay increase. Stagecoach management leave us with no alternative.”
Unite regional officer Scott Lennon said: “Our members have made it clear that they will no longer accept low pay. The planned strike action will undoubtedly cause widespread disruption to passengers across Chesterfield but the drivers believe they have no option but to take strike action to secure a decent wage.
“If the local management at Stagecoach wants to avoid these strikes then they should stop posturing, make a realistic pay offer and work with us to repair industrial relations.”
Bus services in Kent and Sussex face severe disruption this autumn and winter as drivers employed by Stagecoach take strike action over low pay.
More than 250 drivers, based at Stagecoach’s Herne Bay, Folkstone and Hastings depots, recorded an overwhelming yes vote in favour of strike action in response to the company failing to make a realistic pay offer.
Greater Manchester is braced for severe travel disruption later this month as over 1,000 bus drivers employed by Stagecoach begin strike action over pay.
The workers recorded an overwhelming yes vote in favour of strike action in response to the company failing to make a realistic pay offer.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Low pay is the scourge of the bus industry. Stagecoach made profits touching £60m last year and has £875m in the bank. Yet it claims it cannot make a decent inflation-busting offer to its staff.
Planned strike action scheduled for next week by bus drivers employed by Ribble Motor Services Ltd (part of the multimillion pound Stagecoach group) based at the Preston and Chorley bus depots has been suspended following an improved pay offer.
Standing together
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members have shown that by standing together in unity management has been obliged to make an improved pay offer.
"Stagecoach must understand that we remain utterly determined to secure proper and lasting improvements to the pay and conditions of our members."
Tools
