The Unite union has announced more days of strike action – and threatened to escalate matters indefinitely
June 21, 2024, 12:14 p.mUpdated June 21, 2024 at 3:43 p.m
Bus drivers in Liverpool are set to step up strike action, which could result in a total walkout this summer.
Almost 500 Liverpool Stagecoach bus drivers are involved in a major dispute with their employer over pay. Drivers say there is a huge disparity between what they are paid and the pay of Arriva bus drivers in the city.
The Unite union says Stagecoach drivers are paid £1.40 an hour less than their Arriva colleagues, which equates to around £3,000 less over the course of a year.
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The dispute was due to lead to strike action and the cancellation of services earlier this month, but this was called off after Unite recommended a new pay offer from Stagecoach to its members. However, the drivers voted against the offer, meaning they will now go on strike on Monday 24 June and Tuesday 25 June.
The stagecoach will operate a limited service from its Gillmoss depot on these days. Services 10A, 14, 53, 82, 86 in Liverpool will not operate and routes 17, 19, 20 and 21 will operate a special timetable from 6.30am to 7.30pm during the strike.
But with those strikes set to take place next week, Unite now plans to step up its industrial action over the summer. The union has announced further days of industrial action between 5 and 8 July and 12 and 15 July. The union said it would escalate to an all-out round-the-clock strike unless Stagecoach was prepared to make an “acceptable” pay offer to its members.
United general secretary Sharon Graham said: “For too long Stagecoach has failed to pay its riders cheaply in Liverpool. This shows a complete lack of respect and appreciation for its staff, without whom the bus service would not exist, and the communities in Merseyside who rely on their buses.
“Liverpool Stagecoach United members have the full support of their union in striking for a fair pay rise.”
Unite regional officer Brian Troake said: “Our members have been forced to strike by Stagecoach’s continued attempts to keep them on unfair wages. The stagecoach owes the traveling public an abject apology for the disruption it will cause.’
“Further industrial action can be avoided but this requires Stagecoach to return to the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept.”
Stagecoach recently said it was “disappointed” that its bid for improved pay had been rejected in a vote despite carrying the full recommendation of the Unite trade union.
Matt Davies, managing director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, said: “We have done everything we can to design a pay deal that meets the expectations of our people while being affordable for the long-term sustainability of our bus network, and we have worked with Unite to achieve and offer what they recommended. I apologize for the disruption this strike will cause to our customers.”
Matt Davies, managing director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, said: “We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. Saying our drivers are £1.40 an hour less than Arriva doesn’t tell the whole story as it compares our pay rate. 6 ago .4% increase we offered with Arriva following their pay rise In addition we pay our Gillmoss drivers extra time every day, worth 26p per hour at the main rate.
“We also offer a better adjustment of employee contributions to supplementary pension insurance and increased maternity and paternity leave, so the comparison of the total salary is only half the story.
“I apologize for the disruption this strike will cause our customers and we are committed to finding a sustainable solution to this dispute.”
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