Stagecoach East strike action avoided after workers accept pay offer

Unite say workers in Tayside have accepted a 'significantly improved pay offer"

Author: Chloe ShawPublished 20th Oct 2021
Last updated 20th Oct 2021

Stagecoach East workers in Fife, Perth and Strathtay have accept ‘significantly improved’ pay offer, say the Unite trade union, avoiding strike action which could have caused travel chaos during Scotland's COP26 climate summit at the end of the month.

The Unite Union say action has been averted due to its members accepting a ‘significantly improved’ pay offer from the company.

On 8th October, around 600 Stagecoach East workers rejected a previous offer with Unite stating at the time that there was ‘some distance to go’ to meeting the pay demands of its members.

The workers involved in the dispute are drivers, engineering staff, administrative workers, and cleaners.

Douglas Robertson, Managing Director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “We’re very proud of our team, who do a fantastic job in delivering vital transport connections for local people.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the Unite union that provides a fair deal for our employees in Fife and Tayside and helps to secure the long-term sustainability of the local bus network in east Scotland.”

Stagecoach East workers had previously backed taking strike action in the pay dispute. Fife workers backed strike action by 93.4% in a 74.4% ballot turnout. In Perth, workers backed strike action by 91% in a ballot turnout of 78%.

Stagecoach workers are also being balloted for strike action across Scotland, including Angus, Ardrossan Ayr, Brodick, Cumbernauld, Dumfries, Inverness, Highlands and Islands and Kilmarnock.

READ MORE: Stagecoach workers vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action

Unite regional coordinator, Dougie Maguire, said: “Unite members in Stagecoach East Scotland have accepted a significantly improved offer of a wage increase.

"Strike action will now not be necessary thanks to the solid stance taken by our members, who it should be remembered, have kept the country moving during this pandemic. The message for workers is clear.

"You can succeed in improving your terms and conditions at work, join Unite and be prepared to challenge your employer.”

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