Bedford: Stagecoach strike suspended after new offer

Plans for bus workers to strike in Bedford this week have been called off. Drivers had voted to go on strike after negotiations over pay with Stagecoach East broke down. However the industrial action has been suspended following further talks with management.
Members of Unite will now be balloted on a restructured pay and conditions package, which has been recommended for acceptance by the union, on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk

Bedford: Stagecoach drivers vote to strike over pay

Unite has announced its members will strike between 3-9am on Monday 6 October and the same time on Wednesday 8 October after negotiations over pay with Stagecoach East broke down.
The strike will be carried out by 250 drivers and engineers angered by the company’s offer of a less than three per cent rise for June 2014 - June 2015.
Unite regional officer Steve Linger, said: “Stagecoach East offered a two-year deal which amounted to a real terms cut in wages, following a below inflation pay increase last year, and the year before... This latest offer does nothing for our members and their families struggling with the cost of living crisis.
“The company has consistently refused to enter into meaningful and constructive negotiations, leaving our members with no alternative but to strike in support of their claim.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach East said: “We are disappointed the Unite union has called for strike action over a 2.2 per cent pay deal which was accepted five months ago by employees at other depots within the company... We are due to meet representatives from the union today (Wednesday)."
http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk

Wigan: Stagecoach drivers strike against attack on conditions

The pickets were out on Saturday at the Stagecoach depot in Lockett Road, Bryn, when the first of four planned walk-outs took place. That’s because the area’s biggest operator is threatening to scrap existing “hard won” job deals. Stagecoach operates more than 90 bus services - including school contracts ferrying hundreds of pupils - per day.
Company chiefs insist they have contingency plans in place to beat the industrial action, although they concede that a “small number of routes” face a reduced service. This includes drafting in managers with public service licences to drive the routes in place of picketing drivers.
But Unite union officer John Boughton said that although staff regretted potential disruption of passengers and commuters, drivers were determined to maintain existing rostering, allocation and scheduling Stagecoach took on when it brought the Wigan First Group operation recently. Further strikes are planned for October 8 and 14.
http://www.wigantoday.net