Hundreds of bus drivers set to strike over pay

The 450 Stagecoach drivers will walk out for five days from 13-18 June

Hundreds of bus drivers in Liverpool have voted to strike in row over pay, a union has said.

The 450 Stagecoach drivers will walk out for five days from 13-18 June.

Unite members have said they are angry that their pay is £3,000 a year less than drivers at rival company Arriva for essentially doing the same job.

Stagecoach said the company had made a pay offer of 4.2%, which was 1.9% higher than the rate of inflation, and would continue to work to reach a resolution.

'On the cheap'

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “For too long Stagecoach has got away with paying its Liverpool drivers on the cheap.

"It can totally afford to equalise pay with Arriva and that is what needs to happen."

Regional officer Brian Troake said there was still time to avoid the industrial action but that would require Stagecoach to "return to the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept”.

Stagecoach said the company had "done its utmost" to make an offer to meet workers' expectations "while also being affordable for the long-term sustainability of the region's bus network".

"We have made a very fair pay offer to our employees and we will continue to work constructively to reach a resolution," a representative said.

If the strike action goes ahead it will affect transport to events including large concerts by Taylor Swift and Pink.

Stagecoach said contingency plans were being prepared to operate as many services as possible if necessary.