Bus drivers to take industrial action over pay as part of national campaign

Bus drivers to take industrial action over pay as part of national campaign
Gareth Fuller
Josh Kaplan

By Josh Kaplan


Published: 02/09/2021

- 13:21

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:18

'RMT is fighting for professional wages for professional drivers'

Bus drivers are to take industrial action as part of a national campaign over pay.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union employed by Stagecoach in the East Midlands will ban overtime and rest-day working from September 17 to October 1 and again for two weeks from October 22.


The union warned its members working as bus drivers in other parts of the country, including Yorkshire and the South West, are also involved in industrial disputes over pay.

‎‎RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “It’s well established now that we are facing a national shortage of bus drivers as staff leave over poor pay and conditions.

“RMT is fighting for professional wages for professional drivers and our East Midlands Stagecoach members are leading that charge, with others across the country set to follow.”

A Stagecoach East Midlands spokesperson said: “We expect the action will have a minimal impact on our services.

“However, we are disappointed with the union’s stance, particularly when we have worked hard to protect the jobs of our people, bus networks are requiring taxpayer support as a result of the pandemic, and the focus should be on protecting the long-term sustainability of services for the local community.

“We are committed to offering good packages for our people that reflect the local economic conditions, the varying costs of running services and the level of passenger journeys.

“Disappointingly, none of the offers we have made to the RMT have been put forward by the union to members to vote on.

“Nevertheless, we very much remain open to continuing discussions with the union.”

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