Swindon bus drivers to vote on potential strike against Stagecoach
An ongoing row over pay could lead to industrial action
Last updated 11th Feb 2022
A ballot has opened, that could lead to Stagecoach West bus drivers based in Swindon striking against the operator.
Unite the Union is asking around 70 local drivers whether or not they support industrial action, amid a row over pay.
The Union claims staff are currently paid around £12 an hour, a dispute that has also embroiled Stagecoach West drivers in Bristol, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Coalway and Ross-on-Wye over recent months.
The Swindon employees baulked at a £400 one-off payment offer from their employer, made last month, and are now demanding a 7% overall salary increase.
To consider giving strike action the green light, Unite needs a 51% majority of Stagecoach drivers in Swindon to vote in favour. The Union is also legally required to provide Stagecoach at least two weeks' notice of any industrial action.
'The cost of living is going up and up and up'
Shevaun Hunt, a regional officer for Unite, has spoken to Greatest Hits Radio.
"This dispute is solely about pay. For everybody right now, we're all looking at the way our bills are increasing, the cost of living is going up and up and up ... it's pay that is going to help them (drivers) cushion that blow.
"The reality is, in this Swindon situation, they (Stagecoach West) have not reached out (to contact Unite).
"(Drivers) want a clean, no strings attached pay offer made to them, that meets their aspirations," she said.
Shevaun also cites the financial prowess of Stagecoach as a reason why Unite believes workers deserve an improved salary. She claims the operator's parent company made £58 million of profit last year and is "sat on £875 million in liquid cash".
'Our people in Swindon have seen their pay increase by 5%'
In response, Stagecoach West said Unite is behaving "very irrationally" in pushing ahead with a strike ballot, claiming the two parties have held "just one meeting" so far.
Rachel Geliamassi, Managing Director for Stagecoach West, added: "The fact is that our people in Swindon have seen their pay increase by 5% over the past two years – at a time when many people across the country sadly lost their jobs.
"This 'strike first, talk later' mentality is not helping anybody.
"We've offered Unite a number of dates to meet and we remain open for constructive talks. We urge Unite to return to talks with us, instead of creating more uncertainty for people who rely on their bus services".
Unite's ballot started this week and is running until Monday 21 February. If drivers vote in favour, strike action could get underway in March.