Press Release

Stagecoach drivers in South-East England to strike over pay

28 November 2008

Over one hundred Unite members working for Stagecoach in Worthing are to go ahead with a series of four one-day stoppages starting next week (Friday, 5 December) in a dispute over disparities in pay.

Unite is angry that its 120 members earn only £8.03 per hour while their local counterparts at Brighton Buses, Metrobus and National Express are on at least £10 per hour. Unite wants to see clear progress towards closing what it has called an unacceptable pay gap.

David Weeks, Unite Regional Industrial Officer, said: “Our members work just as hard as their colleagues at other local bus companies but are being paid far less, are at the lower end of the pay scale for the area and the bus industry in the south east in general.

"This is unfair, divisive and demotivating, which is why we want clear and fast-moving progress towards closing this pay gap and we are willing to talk to Stagecoach at any time about resolving this matter.

“Our members are fighting back against low wages in an industry that has seen high profits and big dividends to its shareholders over many years at the expense of workers' wages. This dispute is about reversing that trend and restoring fairness to wages.

"As the cost of living increases and Stagecoach's profits rise, it is only right that this employer properly rewards its hard-working, dedicated, staff, who provide an excellent service to their passengers.”

All strike days will be from midnight to midnight. The first strike will be on the 5th December from midnight.