Better pay deal puts brakes on bus strikes
Improved offer accepted
Strike action will now not be necessary Unite’s Dougie Maguire
Planned strike action on bus services in Perth and Kinross has been scrapped after Stagecoach staff agreed to a “s i g n i f i c a nt l y improved” pay deal.
The new proposal from the Perth- based national bus operator offers Tayside and Fife workers a two-year deal that will increase employee pay by an average of 7.5 per cent over the period covered by the agreement.
The “rema r k a b l e turnaround” brings an end to a month- long dispute over pay from Unite the Union members.
On October 8, around 600 Stagecoach East workers rejected a previous offer, with Perth workers backing strike action by 91 per cent in a ballot turnout of 78 per cent.
Industrial action was expected to involve disruption to the COP26 climate change conference, being held in Glasgow between October 31 and
November 12.
However, following constructive talks between Stagecoach management and Unite members last Friday, the much improved offer was made.
Members of Unite in Tayside and Fife then agreed to the new pay deal in a vote on Wednesday,
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.”
Managing director for Stagecoach East Scotland Douglas Robertson 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.”
Meanwhile, ScotRail’s Unite members are still planning to take part in 24hour strikes on November 1-2, November 10-11, and November 12-13, after pay offers by the national rail operator have been rejected.
Sunday staff for ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services are currently taking strike action.