A ‘derisory’ pay offer by Kinchbus has resulted in Loughborough drivers voting for strike action beginning in November, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Wednesday 27 October).

The strikes, involving more than 50 drivers who are amongst the lowest paid in the country, will cause serious disruption to bus services in Loughborough and the East Midlands.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Despite performing a critical and challenging role, our Kinchbus members are amongst the lowest paid bus drivers in the nation. Even if they accepted Kinchbus’ derisory pay offer, their hourly wage would still be less than £11 an hour. 

“Kinchbus’ drivers are taking a stand against their low wages and Unite will be campaigning relentlessly in support of their fight for decent pay. Unite will defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions to the hilt. Employers should know we are a fighting-back union.”

Following a ballot with a 78 per cent turnout that was 88 per cent in favour of industrial action, the drivers will take 11 days of strike action between 13 November and 11 December. 

An all-out strike will begin on 13 December if the dispute remains unresolved. 

The strikes will ‘seriously impact’ Kinchbus routes across Loughborough and the wider region, including services to East Midlands airport, Nottingham, Leicester and Derby.

Unite regional officer Scott Lennon said: “These strikes will seriously impact Kinchbus services in Loughborough and across the region and are not actions our members take lightly. 

“They have been backed into a corner by Kinchbus, whose management bears full responsibility for the disruption that will be caused. There is still time to avoid strikes, but that requires Kinchbus to table an offer our members can accept.”

ENDS 

Kinchbus pay dispute could lead to serious Loughborough and East Midlands bus service disruption

For media enquires ONLY contact Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215. 

Email: [email protected] 

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Unite is the leading union in the UK and Ireland, dedicated to defending and improving members' jobs, pay and conditions. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.