Bus strikes back on as workers reject pay offer

Stagecoach workers in Newcastle, Sunderland and South Shields have rejected a pay deal

A bus service will be disrupted as 600 workers resumed plans to strike.

Unite the Union members at Stagecoach North East in Newcastle, Sunderland and South Shields are set to take industrial action on Monday 18 and Thursday 21 August after pay negotiations collapsed.

Stagecoach North East managing director Steve Walker said he was disappointed its drivers and engineers had rejected a 5% pay rise.

Unite said staff rejected the "below inflation" pay increase as it was split over two years and would not have brought their pay in line with drivers in the north-west of England.

Unite regional officer Dave Telford said: "There will be severe disruption to bus services across Newcastle and Tyne and Wear but this is entirely the fault of Stagecoach for failing to put forward an acceptable offer.

"There is still time for industrial action to be avoided but that will require Stagecoach tabling a deal its workers can accept."

Union members had previously voted to strike on 11 and 12 August, after workers rejected an initial offer of a 3.3% pay increase.

But it was suspended after the company tabled an improved offer.

However, the latest offer has been rejected, meaning the remaining strikes will go ahead.

Unite said drivers working for Stagecoach in Manchester earn £17.54 an hour but those working in the North East were only paid £15.01.

The union's general secretary Sharon Graham said the latest offer "totally devalued" staff.

Stagecoach said it would work to minimise the impact of the industrial action on its services.

Mr Walker said the company's Newcastle drivers were "already the highest paid in the region" and further pay increases would see "additional costs passed on to customers".

"Stagecoach buses are one of the most cost-effective, accessible and convenient ways to travel around the city, so this is something that we are absolutely keen to keep to a minimum," he said.