Bus passengers face delays with strike expected to hit services

BUS passengers in Derbyshire are set to be hit by delays and cancelled services when Stagecoach workers stage a strike later this month.

It comes after members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) showed support for the action in a ballot. The strike is set to take place on Monday, October 18.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The massive votes for action by Stagecoach members reflect the growing disgust amongst bus workers at being kicked in the teeth on pay while inflation and wages elsewhere are rising steeply.

“It’s well established now that we are facing a national shortage of bus drivers as staff leave over poor pay and conditions. It is ridiculous that Stagecoach has chosen this moment to hammer their staff over pay. The consequences for local services will be horrific.”

Stagecoach has accused the union of making “unrealistic and unaffordable demands” but has said the company remains open to continuing the discussions and has urged the union to return to talks.

A Stagecoach spokesperson said: “Workers and students who rely on buses to access jobs and education, as well as businesses struggling to recover from the pandemic, will be angry that the RMT is planning to disrupt their lives and livelihoods.

“We are committed to offering good packages for our people and, as well as protecting jobs during the pandemic, we have reached agreement on pay increases for many employees at a number of depots around the country.

“However, the RMT has continued to make unrealistic and unaffordable demands, and in some instances has failed even to put above-inflation pay offers to a full ballot of its members.

“Any strike action is particularly counter-productive when bus networks require taxpayer support due to the pandemic and the focus of everyone should be on protecting the long-term sustainability of services for the local community.

Stagecoach has not indicated which services will be affected by the strike action.