Strike Off after Stagecoach Drivers Accept Pay Offer
Workers at Stagecoach’s Newcastle Slatyford and Walkergate depots will see their pay increase by 3.3% backdated to April 2025, and a further 1.7% from September
Strike action by Stagecoach bus drivers and depot staff in Newcastle has been called off after drivers accepted a pay offer. A total of 600 workers from the Slatyford and Walkergate depots had been due to begin indefinite strike action on Sunday, August 31.
Union members originally planned to strike on August 11 and 12, but that was suspended when the company tabled an improved pay offer which was rejected by the workers. On Monday, August 18, industrial action saw bosses at the bus firm forced to run a limited service, with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness calling for a new offer to be made as commuters were faced with long queues and delays for their usual services.
The new pay deal will see workers’ pay increase by 3.3% back paid to April 2025 and a further 1.7% from September 2025. Dave Telford, Unite regional officer, said: “As this deal shows, workers seeking better pay and working conditions should join Unite and rally their co-workers to do the same.”
Unite had previously argued that Stagecoach North East drivers earned £15.01 an hour, compared with £17.54 with drivers in the Manchester and the North West.
The ChronicleLive understands that the offer doesn’t bring drivers up to the same hourly wage, but that remains a long term aspiration for the Union.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “By sticking together in their union, the workers at Stagecoach North East won a satisfactory pay deal from their employer. Unite’s top priority is to defend and improve our members’ jobs, pay and conditions.”