Unite Threat of Industrial Action Over Pay a “Kick in the Teeth for Local Communities”

• Pay proposals by Stagecoach would give employees increases of between around 5% and 10%   
• Union disruption would damage livelihoods of customers and businesses   
• Action would set back recovery of bus services after Stagecoach recruitment of new drivers  
• Stagecoach calls on Unite to put customers first and show flexibility in talks to reach settlement  
• Pay deals already agreed with Unite covering employees at vast majority of UK depots 

Stagecoach criticised the Unite union for threatening industrial action impacting Stagecoach bus services in the West of England after it rejected a pay increase for employees of up to 10%.   

The company has offered various one and two-year pay deals of between around 5% and 10% covering employees at its five depots in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Coalway and Bristol.   

In recent discussions between Stagecoach West and Unite, the union has refused to demonstrate any flexibility around pay offers and instead has confirmed plans to press ahead with a ballot of its members, around 196 people, for industrial action.  

Stagecoach warned that the action would damage the livelihoods of local people and businesses, as well as setting back the recovery of bus services. In recent months, Stagecoach has employed a team of around 140 new drivers to improve the reliability of services which have been affected by the pandemic.   

Rachel Geliamassi, Managing Director of Stagecoach West, said: “We really value our employees, who are doing a fantastic job under some challenging circumstances, and we agree that they deserve a good pay increase.   

“Our people have previously benefitted from above inflation pay increases and we are continuing with that legacy. This year has been a greater challenge, but despite this, we have still put forward strong pay offers of between 5-10% to recognise the valuable role our people play in our communities, and that helps protect the long-term sustainability of the bus network.   

“The very last thing that our customers and communities need is the threat of industrial action. We have recruited a large team of additional bus drivers to improve the reliability of our services. Any unnecessary disruption would set back the recovery of bus services and be a real kick in the teeth for local communities.  

“We should be working together on a way forward that protects both jobs and services. Whilst we appreciate Unite remaining open for talks, it’s very challenging that they are unwilling to show any flexibility.  

“We would urge Unite to put customers first instead of creating more uncertainty for people who rely on their bus services to get to work, access public and other services, and stay in touch with their friends and families.”