Monday's bus strike called off

It's suspended whilst union considers pay offer

A strike by members of the RMT union that would have brought Stagecoach South West buses to a halt on Monday has been called off with just hours to go.

The union says the planned industrial action is "suspended" whilst it puts Stagecoach's improved pay offer to its members.

The company has welcomed what it calls “constructive discussions” with the trade union and has offered a pay increase of 4.4 per cent if accepted.

Mike Watson, managing director of Stagecoach South West, said: “We are pleased to have put together positive pay packages for our people that are supported by the union.

"Throughout our discussions, our priority has been to protect jobs, ensure our people who keep our communities connected are properly rewarded, and secure the long-term future of bus networks in the south west."

Stagecoach says services will operate as normal on Monday,

Earlier on Sunday, a spokesperson for the RMT said the union has warned "the failure to tackle poverty pay in the bus industry is brewing up a skills crisis which threatens the future of lifeline services across the south west."

They continued: "The scandal of bus worker pay, where drivers earn less than £23,000 for taking responsibility for the safety of a packed vehicle and are left alone and vulnerable late at night, is sparking an exodus which will hit school children ‎and the poorest in our communities hard."

Both Stagecoach and the RMT published separate announcements announcing the strike wouldn't go ahead, but neither outlined a timetable for agreeing a permanent solution. Union members will, however, consider Stagecoach's revised offer this week.

Earlier in the negotiations, the company had offered a no-strings rise of 2.2 per cent for drivers; or 9.7 per cent linked to productivity improvements. Stagecoach says the pandemic has hit its revenues, making many routes unprofitable. The union believes the company is wealthy and should put its metaphorical hand in its pockets.