Offer from company making profits of £73m deprived workers of back pay

Strikes by more than 1,000 Stagecoach Manchester drivers will go ahead on Friday (11 August) after workers yesterday rejected a renewed pay offer that deprived them of back pay.

Where: Stagecoach, Hyde Road, Manchester, M12 6JS
When: 0630 hrs to 0800 hrs, Friday, 11 August 2023

While an improved offer of around 14.3 per cent was made - taking the hourly rate to £16 an hour - the deal would have been implemented from September rather than June, the agreed anniversary date for pay rises. Instead, a £750 one-off payment in lieu of full back pay was offered.

Stagecoach’s latest financial report showed its adjusted profit before tax increased 98 per cent to £36.4 million in the six months to 29 October 2022. For the 2021/2022 financial year, Stagecoach reported revenues of almost £1.2 billion with adjusted profits of £72.7 million.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Stagecoach is making huge profits and can afford to improve this ‘strings attached’ offer to one that is implemented from the correct anniversary date.

“Stagecoach has unnecessarily dragged out a dispute that could have been resolved months ago and is now trying to move the goal posts. Our members at Stagecoach Manchester will receive their unions full backing as they strike for a fair pay rise.”

Strike action will take place on 11, 12, 13 and 14 August. Bus services across the whole of Manchester will be severely affected. More strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved. 

Picket lines will take place at Stagecoach’s Ashton, Stockport, Hyde Road and Sharston depots from 5am each morning.

In-person interview opportunities will be available from 0630 hrs to 0800 hrs from Hyde Road depot on Friday.

Unite regional officer Colin Haydon said: “Our members do a difficult and challenging role and will not accept a deal that deprives them of months of pay they are entitled to. Their resolve is rock solid – the only way this dispute will end is if Stagecoach puts forward an acceptable offer.”

ENDS