Bus Strike in Birkenhead, Chorley and Preston: Stagecoach Drivers Demand Pay Increase

500 Stagecoach workers walk out over pay disparities

Birkenhead, Chorley and Preston Stagecoach bus services will be severely disrupted during strikes by 500 drivers, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

The workers are demanding a pay rise that reflects huge disparities between their pay and drivers in the same areas.

For example, Arriva drivers in Birkenhead earn £2.69 an hour more than Birkenhead Stagecoach drivers and £2.13 an hour more than Stagecoach drivers in Chorley and Preston.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:“Stagecoach can absolutely afford to table an offer that tackles the unfair disparities within the region.Stagecoach drivers at Birkenhead, Chorley and Preston will receive Unite’s full support in taking strike action until that happens.”

Stagecoach is a highly profitable firm, with figures from last year showing it recorded a total operating profit of £51.1m - up from £33.1m - and a profit before taxation of £47.6m.

The workers will take strike action from 29 September to 5 October and from 13 October to 19 October. Industrial action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved.

Unite regional officer Mike Woods said:“Stagecoach is entirely responsible for the disruption that will be caused. It could have put forward an offer that addresses our members’ legitimate concerns but has refused to. Industrial action can still be avoided but that will require Stagecoach tabling an acceptable offer.”