Stagecoach Merseyside bus strikes back on

Bus strikes affecting Stagecoach Merseyside’s entire operation are set to go ahead next Monday (July 4) as the workforce takes a stand against low pay.

The action will involve 370 members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, employed as bus drivers and engineers based at Stagecoach’s Gilmoss depot.

Strike action planned for today (June 30) was called off to allow the workforce to be balloted on Stagecoach’s latest offer. However, members overwhelmingly decided that it did not meet their expectations.

Unite says its members’ anger over low pay at Stagecoach is deep-seated and that pay rates are below those of competitors in the region.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Stagecoach makes money hand over fist. Our members are making it abundantly clear that they will not accept being underpaid by this wealthy company any longer.

“Stagecoach can easily afford to pay its workers a decent wage but its repeated refusal to do so is why these strikes will go ahead. Our members at Stagecoach will receive the union’s complete support until this dispute is resolved.”

Stagecoach’s accounts for the second half of 2021 revealed that profits had more than doubled from £16.1 million to £32.9 million.

If the dispute is not resolved then it is expected that further dates for industrial action will be announced in the near future.

Unite regional officer Dave Roberts added, “Strike action will undoubtedly cause severe disruption to bus services across Merseyside. This is a direct result of drivers having to endure years of low pay. They have made it entirely clear that this is no longer acceptable.

“Even at this late stage strikes could be avoided but Stagecoach needs to return to the negotiating table and make an offer that tackles the long-term problems that have created this dispute.”

By Barckley Sumner