National Express strike back on as pay talks collapse

Thousands of National Express drivers are to strike indefinitely from Monday after pay negotiations broke down.

More than 3,100 staff are due to take part in the industrial action, which Unite said would affect 93pc of the West Midlands bus network.

The strike was initially scheduled for this week, but suspended after the company made an improved pay offer.

A union spokesman yesterday accused the coach group of preventing drivers from voting on the deal at a workplace ballot. Unite has now recommended that members reject the latest offer because it has “more strings attached than a grand piano”.

A National Express driver’s salary currently starts at £11.80 an hour, climbing to over £14 after three years.