If all the planned strikes go ahead, there will be seven days of strike action across January and February
Six more days of strike action have been announced for Stagecoach members of Unite the Union. The workers began strike action in late December, and as an agreement has still not been reached between Unite and Stagecoach, more strikes will continue on January 26, 28 and 30 and February 9, 11 and 13.
Unite saya the 200 drivers and engineers are demanding a pay increase that reflects the difficulties and stresses of the job, and the high cost of living in Cambridge.
Darren Roe, the managing director for Stagecoach East said he “continues to regret that industrial action is being taken,” and that he knows “the impact and disruption really hurts you, our loyal customers and the communities who rely on our bus services every day”.
Mark Plumb, Unite regional officer said: “Cambridge’s Stagecoach drivers are dedicated to providing vital bus services under harsh working conditions,” adding that “strikes will not end until an acceptable offer is put forward.”
Pay talks between Stagecoach and the union began in September, alongside talks with depot teams in Fenstanton, Peterborough and Cambridge.
According to Unite, Cambridge drivers were paid £16.22 an hour, compared to drivers in Manchester paid £18 an hour, and £17.43 in Liverpool.
As well as the pay disparities, workers want a pay offer that takes into consideration the nature of the job. According to the union, instances of violence and abuse are not uncommon for drivers.
“The disruption caused to passengers is entirely the fault of Stagecoach, which is refusing to do this out of corporate greed,” Unite regional officer Mr Plumb said.
Stagecoach said that over the last three years, Cambridge employees have received pay increases totalling more than 20 percent, significantly above inflation, which has risen by less than 14 percent over the same period.
In an open letter, Mr Roe added: “By mutual agreement with the union, we came to a point where those talks were exhausted – the union stood by their mandate, and we cannot afford to meet that nine percent pay demand.”
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Cambridge has crippling living costs for workers, but Stagecoach thinks it can get away with paying the city’s drivers subpar wages. Our members will not be treated as second class employees: Stagecoach can afford to give them a fair slice of the pie.”
Roe added: “I get that we have not been able to meet the union’s demand – we simply cannot afford it – but enough is enough now, and I call on Unite to end this action that is hurting our customers and their members, and which is having an impact on the ability of the business to operate sustainable bus services.”
On the days effected by industrial action in Cambridge, Stagecoach will now be running 90 percent of the fleet, with a full Park and Ride service, operated by over 70 percent of their drivers, who have agreed to return to work, and supported by drivers they have brought in from across the country.
