Following the failure of talks between Unite and Stagecoach the industrial action undertaken by drivers across depots in South Wales will now escalate further. Unite is calling for £10.50 per hour wage for its members, something that has already been approved by Stagecoach at their operations in other parts of the UK.

The 10 days of strike action that have taken place at depots in Blackwood, Brynmawr and Cwmbran will now be followed by continuous strike action from November 17th 2021 until January 10th 2022.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham commented:

“Unite is determined to fight for a better deal for our members at Stagecoach. We will not accept workers in South Wales receiving inferior pay to their colleagues in other parts of the UK. This dispute will now escalate and Unite will back our members with all of its strength and resources."

Unite Regional Officer Alan McCarthy also commented:

“We are bitterly disappointed by the approach of Stagecoach management at today’s ACAS talks. Our reasonable proposals to end this dispute were rejected out of hand, by an employer seemingly hell bent on maintaining low pay. Drivers have seen their pay increase by less than 75p per hour between 2016 and 2020 whilst the Directors annual pay rose from £93,000 to £180,000. In the light of this gross hypocrisy our members are more resolute than ever and will not back down in this dispute.”

ENDS