Stagecoach Merseyside members in pay win

Unite members employed by Stagecoach in Merseyside have ended their industrial dispute after agreeing a substantial pay increase.

The 370 strong workforce, based at Stagecoach’s Gilmoss depot, had already taken a day’s strike action on Monday 4 July and were scheduled to begin all out strike action from this Wednesday (July 20). All strike action has now been cancelled.

The deal will see bus drivers pay increase to £14.00 an hour backdated to March 2022 and to £14.20 from January 2023. The engineers will see their pay increase by 10.3 per cent, backdated to March 2022 and a further 1.45 per cent from January 2023.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is a substantial pay increase and demonstrates what can be achieved by workers taking a stand where we know employers can pay.

“Unite is dedicated to fighting for the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the pay deal at Stagecoach Merseyside demonstrates that this approach is winning.”

In the second year of the deal, which comes into effect from March 2023, all workers will receive an increase in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) or two per cent, whichever is the greater.

Unite regional officer Dave Roberts added, “Special credit must be paid to the union’s reps, without whose hard work and dedication this pay deal would not have been possible.”

Industrial action involving Unite members employed by Arriva in the North West, is unresolved and is set to begin on Wednesday, July 20.

By Barckley Sumner