Union warns of impending action across the North without improved offer
Stagecoach drivers are threatening a walk-out that could impact services across the North and West
A union has warned that Highland bus services could come to a halt within weeks after members voted for strike action in a dispute over pay.
Unite the union said that around 200 Stagecoach bus drivers have backed strike action after rejecting an "unacceptable" pay offer.
It said that any industrial action would have an impact on Stagecoach to the North and West of Inverness, as well as further afield to Skye and Orkney.
Unite said that the rejected pay offer amounted to 4% from July with a further 2.5% increase from January 2025.
The initial six months offer was then followed by a 3% pay offer running from July 2025 for one year, it said.
Marc Jackson, Unite industrial officer for Inverness and the Highlands, warned that Stagecoach bus services across the North could come to a halt "in a matter of weeks".
He said: "This dispute could be resolved by a fair and reasonable pay offer to our members.
"We would urge Stagecoach to see sense instead of continuing down a road which will lead to significant disruption for the travelling public."
He added that a further meeting with the company was scheduled for next week, saying that there had been no positive contact within the last three weeks.
"Our members don't want to take strike action - we have a strike action mandate - but we're going to give Stagecoach opportunities to resolve the matter before it has an impact on the public
"There are no actual dates set aside at the moment, but we realise in the build-up to Christmas time, we don't want to deprive people of bus routes
"We're asking Stagecoach to come to the table - we believe we're very close - we want to deliver a decent pay rise for our members"
Stagecoach Highland said it was working to minimise any potential disruption.
Its spokesperson said: "We have been informed by Unite that members in Stagecoach Highlands have voted to undertake industrial action.
"Our joint negotiating committee of union representatives and management are working hard to reach a fair deal for our team across the region.
"We would like to reassure our passengers that we are doing everything we can to minimise any potential disruption to services, and will provide further updates in due course."