The threat of strike action involving bus drivers employed by Stagecoach in Chesterfield has ended after members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, accepted a vastly improved pay offer.

The 50 bus drivers and cleaners, who are based at the company’s Stonegravels depot, have accepted a one year pay rise which will see wages increase by 4.5 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a tremendous victory by members of Unite. By standing together they have ensured Stagecoach made them a new pay increase which was much improved on the initial offer.

“As a union, Unite is wholly dedicated to bettering members’ jobs, pay and conditions, either through negotiations or industrial action if necessary.”

Unite had announced strike dates for the Stonegravels depot during October but the initial action was suspended once Stagecoach tabled a fresh pay offer to allow members to be balloted. 

The pay deal will run until May 2022 and Unite will be seeking a further pay rise for its members from that point.

Unite regional secretary Paresh Patel said: “As a result of this dispute Stagecoach’s management can be under no illusion that Unite is determined to eradicate low pay for bus workers once and for all.

“It was clear all along that Stagecoach could well afford this pay rise, but was trying to use Covid as an excuse to offer less. Unite will not let our members pay the price for the pandemic.”

ENDS

Chesterfield bus strikes suspended as new pay offer on the table

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Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.