Hull: Stagecoach bus strike suspended for vote

Union members will be asked to vote on the new pay offer

Strikes affecting Stagecoach buses in Hull will be suspended from Monday for a vote on a new pay deal.

Bus drivers, cleaners and engineers began industrial action on 7 October in a dispute over pay.

Union Unite said the new offer was agreed after "extensive negotiations" on Friday and workers will vote on the proposals.

A Stagecoach spokesperson said the company was "pleased to have held constructive talks" with the union.

Unite regional officer Harriet Eisner said: "Following a significantly improved offer from Stagecoach, Unite has suspended strikes in order to ballot its members on the new offer."

The union said if its members reject the pay deal, strike action will resume on 14 November. Around 250 workers in Hull are involved in the dispute.

Bus workers in Hull began strike action on 7 October

Stagecoach previously said drivers had been offered a 14.5% pay increase and would be the "highest paid in the region".

But a Unite spokesperson said Stagecoach drivers in Hull were paid £11.14 an hour compared to drivers in Liverpool who earned £14 per hour and the union wanted parity.

Matt Cranwell, managing director for Stagecoach East Midlands, said: "Following movement on both sides, we have agreed a new pay deal with Unite that they will be putting forward to their members with a recommendation to accept.

"On this basis, Unite have agreed to suspend strike action for next week. We are therefore pleased to be able to resume services for our passengers in Hull."