Cheltenham Festival racegoers won't be affected by Stagecoach bus strikes after new pay offer secured
Strikes were set to begin on Thursday (10 March)
People heading to Cheltenham Festival next week will no longer be affected by planned bus strikes from Stagecoach workers.
Strike action involving Stagecoach West bus drivers was due to begin on Thursday (10 March) following a dispute over pay.
These have now been called off after a new pay offer worth up to 12% was agreed for the 380 drivers working for the bus operator.
It means the Stagecoach shuttle bus service which takes customers to the Cheltenham festival will not be disrupted.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a great win for our members who, by standing together collectively, have ensured that Stagecoach made a vastly improved pay offer.
“This pay deal demonstrates how Unite’s strategy of always prioritising the jobs, pay and conditions of workers is paying dividends.”
Unite regional officer Shevaun Hunt said: “This pay deal could not have been achieved without the hard work of Unite’s reps and by our members being prepared to stand up and say they were no longer prepared to accept low pay.
“This deal is a first step in tackling pay issues at the company. It is hoped that Unite and Stagecoach West can now work together to ensure that further progress is made in ensuring fair pay for all drivers employed by the company.”
The dispute was the first time ever that the drivers, who are based at the Bristol, Cheltenham, Coalway, Gloucester, Stroud, and Swindon depots, had ever voted for strike action.