Warwickshire is facing extended bus strikes next month as 300 bus drivers employed by Stagecoach announced that they will be taking all-out strike action from Tuesday 5 September in a pay dispute.

Real terms pay cut

The drivers who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, have rejected a pay offer of 7.8 per cent for the first year and 4.5 per cent plus £100 for the second year. This year’s pay rise was due to come into effect on 1 July when the real inflation rate (RPI) was 11.3 per cent, making the proposed offer a substantial real terms pay cut.

The drivers who are paid just £14 an hour, operate from depots in Nuneaton, Leamington and Stratford-upon-Avon. Stagecoach controls 87 per cent of the bus network in Warwickshire, with routes also extending into Coventry.

Fair pay increase required

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members play a vital role keeping Warwickshire moving, the very least they deserve is a fair pay increase. Stagecoach is an immensely wealthy company it can fully afford to pay its workers a decent wage, its failure to do so is because it is seeking to further boost its profits at the expense of its drivers.”

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. 

Severe disruption 

Unite regional officer Sulinder Singh said: “The all-out strike action will inevitably cause severe disruption to bus passengers throughout Warwickshire but this dispute is directly a result of Stagecoach’s refusal to make an offer which meets our members’ expectations.

 “Stagecoach needs to stop prevaricating and return to the negotiating table with a fair pay offer.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

300 Warwickshire Stagecoach drivers balloted for strike action over pay 

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.