Bus strike union warns of 'huge disruption'

Stagecoach staff in parts of the north-east of England will strike in August

Hundreds of bus workers are set to take strike action next month which could cause "significant disruption" during the summer holidays, their union says.

About 600 Unite members working at Stagecoach North East have voted to walk out after rejecting a 3.3% pay rise offer.

Staff including drivers, cleaners and engineers at Busways Travel Services, which is part of the Stagecoach group, were offered the rise which Unite says is "well below the pay of those doing the same job in the north west".

Stagecoach said staff were offered a 3.9% pay rise, above inflation, and added current demands would see "additional costs passed on to customers".

Strikes are planned for Monday 11, Tuesday 12, Monday 18 and Thursday 21 August.

'Deserve better'

Figures from last year show Stagecoach recorded a total operating profit of £51.1m - up from £33.1m - and a profit before taxation of £47.6m, Unite said.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: "Stagecoach is prioritising profits over people and our hardworking members deserve better."

The hourly pay for drivers in the North East is £15.01 per hour.

Among those who voted for strike action are 500 members based at the Slatyford and Walkergate depots in Newcastle upon Tyne, including drivers.

The majority of passenger bus services to and from Newcastle city centre operate from these depots.

More than 80 engineers and cleaners based in Newcastle, Sunderland and South Shields, will take strike action at the same time.

Steve Walker, managing director of Stagecoach North East, said the firm was disappointed its offer was rejected for a demand of a minimum of 5% plus benefits, including Sunday rates.

"Not only are Newcastle drivers the highest paid in the region compared to other large operators in the area, they have been awarded pay rises that were well above inflation in previous years," he added.

"The union's current demands would see additional costs passed on to the customer, which is something we absolutely want to avoid."

He said it was asking Unite to meet to reach a resolution in order to avoid "unnecessary disruption".

A reduced bus service across Newcastle will be in place due to the planned strike on days affected.

All other services in the North East and Tees Valley regions will continue to operate as normal, Stagecoach said.