Five hundred Stagecoach drivers are set to take part in industrial action after rejecting an ‘unacceptable’ four per cent pay offer by Stagecoach West of Scotland.
Unite the Union confirmed the move, stating that 98 per cent of its 500 Stagecoach members had voted in favour of striking.
The trade union claims that despite ongoing talks with the transport company, a ‘significantly improved’ pay offer has not been put on the table.
Strike action will see drivers who operate out of several depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, Dumfries, Kilmarnock, and Stranraer walk out over a series of days.
These include May 2, 6, 9, 12, 19, and 23.
There are various services to Glasgow that run from these depots, including the X76 from Kilmarnock to Glasgow, the X77 from Ayr to Glasgow, the 4 service from Ayr via Kilmarnock to Glasgow, the X71 from Kilmarnock to Glasgow, and the X36 from Dalry to Glasgow.
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members in Stagecoach West Scotland are being forced to take strike action because of an unacceptable pay offer.
“It is a profitable company, and it can easily afford to put a fairer offer on the table for its hard-working drivers.
“We will fully back our members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Unite claims that the current pay offer would still leave workers ‘one of the poorest paid’ across Stagecoach’s UK operations.
Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, added: “Our drivers are on one of the lowest rates of pay across the whole Stagecoach group.
“It’s unacceptable that the company has refused to tackle low pay. Unite’s members have no option but to take strike action to get a fair pay rise.
“They are simply seeking pay parity. Strike action during May is set to bring bus services to a stop, but the blame for any disruption lies squarely with Stagecoach.”
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A Stagecoach spokesperson stated they were ‘disappointed’ with the union’s decision to take industrial action.
It is understood that the company is now focusing on bringing together ‘practical plans’ to support customers during this period.
They commented: “We are disappointed by Unite’s decision to take strike action, which will cause disruption across our communities and significantly impact our customers.
“Despite our best efforts to reach an agreement and avoid industrial action, we must now focus on putting practical plans in place to support our customers during this challenging period.
We have a crucial role in helping people stay connected with their communities, and we are working hard to minimise the impact of this disruption.
“The strike action follows the rejection of a pay offer that would have increased hourly rates by 15.6 per cent over two years, with terms and conditions in line with other Stagecoach businesses.
“This offer comes on the back of a previous two-year deal agreed in 2023, which delivered a 13 per cent increase in basic pay.
“We urge Unite to reconsider their position and return to the negotiating table. Our commitment remains to reach a fair and sustainable agreement – one that supports our employees while ensuring the long-term viability of our services across West Scotland.”
