More stoppages planned as bus pay strike drags on

Strikes will be staged on Feb 4, 6, 8 and 10 with  similar strikes planned for each month thereafter.

Drivers, members of the Unite union, at Stagecoach’s Rawmarsh and Barnsley depots voted overwhelmingly to continue their strikes at a mass meeting held a week after the latest offer was rejected.

Unite members—who have already held eight strike days in their pay campaign—voted 206 to 89 against an offer of £9.05 an hour over 18 months with no back pay.

Drivers asked for an extra 26p an hour to bring them up to £9 an hour for a 38 hour week, backpaid to the start of April 2011.

Unite members say they have no extra payments for unsocial hours.

Some drivers have to start at 4.30am and the last bus service finishes at 3am.

Management offered £9.05 an hour starting immediately—but no back pay.

Union members say because Stagecoach wanted to change the dates of pay negotiation it effectively made the offer an 18 month deal.

Strikers also claim Stagecoach is paying out £15,500 each strike day for managers and supervisors from depots round the country as well as reducing fares dramatically to £1.

Paul Lynch, managing director, Stagecoach Yorkshire, said the firm was “extremely disappointed,” particularly as the offer of £9.05 was what the union had asked for.

“After many months of negotiation, and several other pay offers, in a challenging economic climate, it is very frustrating we have not been able to reach an agreement,” he added.

Stagecoach said that it would operate a near-normal level of service in Barnsley, Rotherham and the Dearne Valley during the industrial action.

The firm said  it would do everything to minimise disruption for passengers and keep most services running between 7am and 6pm.

Barnsley Trades Council is planning a march and rally in support of the bus workers on Saturday, February 4, the day of the first strike.