Stagecoach drivers to strike after pay talks break down

Stagecoach bus drivers in the west of Scotland are to go on strike after a breakdown in pay talks.

The Unite union said the firm had failed to improve on 4% pay offer to members at depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, and Kilmarnock.

It said 430 drivers would strike on routes in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow on 26 May, 2 June and 6 June - with six weeks of further action to follow.

Stagecoach has said it was seeking a "fair and sustainable" pay deal that preserves the viability of bus services.

Unite said members voted by 98 per cent to take industrial action.

The union said the current pay offer is "unacceptable" as it would leave the drivers among the poorest paid across Stagecoach's UK operations.

Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, said: "The drivers are being asked to fund a pay rise by working longer hours, taking longer unpaid breaks and losing a week of annual leave.

"Widespread and prolonged industrial action is set to hit bus services across the west of Scotland.

"This company doesn't seem capable of listening to its workers."

Scheduled strike action was previously suspended for further talks after the company withdrew a threat of cancelling drivers' annual leave entitlement.

Bus depots in Dumfries and Galloway are not involved in the action.

Stagecoach said staff there had accepted a two year pay deal that would see their hourly rate of pay increase by nearly 12%.

The firm said services would operate as normal from Cumbernauld, Dumfries and Stranraer depots, with reduced services from Ayrshire depots.

A spokesperson said: "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.

"We urge Unite to reconsider its position and return to the negotiating table."