Stagecoach bringing in huge profits but offers workers inadequate pay deal 

More than 1,000 Manchester Stagecoach drivers are being balloted for industrial action over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, announced today (Thursday).

The drivers have responsibility for manoeuvring large vehicles all day through heavy traffic and care for the safety of thousands of passengers. They have rejected an offer of just four per cent from June 2023 with a further four per cent in December. With the current rate of inflation, RPI, standing at 11.3 per cent, this is a real terms pay cut.

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 a hugely profitable company. The money is there for the company to provide its Manchester drivers a pay increase that reflects increasing living costs and the demands of what is a difficult and stressful role. Improving jobs, pay and conditions is Unite’s absolute priority and our Manchester Stagecoach members will receive the union’s complete support.”

The ballot for strike action opens today and closes on 27 July. Strike action would severely impact bus services across the whole of Manchester. 

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “Stagecoach can prevent this dispute from escalating by putting forward an offer that our hardworking members can accept. Unite urges Stagecoach to return to negotiations and table a deal that improves on the inadequate one currently on offer.”

ENDS 

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

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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.